Aldo Gerna

Aldo Gerna FSCJ (born 7 May 1931) is an Italian-born Brazilian Roman Catholic missionary and prelate, who served as the second bishop of the Diocese of São Mateus, in Espírito Santo, Brazil, from 1971 until his retirement in 2007. He is a member of the Comboni Missionaries.

Early life and education Gerna was born on 7 May 1931 in Arigna, a village in the municipality of Ponte in Valtellina in the Province of Sondrio, Lombardy, Italy, to Andrea and Teresa Gerna.

He entered the seminary in 1943 and later studied philosophy and theology at the Pontifical Urban University in Rome.

He served as parish vicar in São Mateus between 1957 and 1962 and later held several diocesan roles including chancellor, vicar general, and advisor for pastoral ministries.

Retirement

Pope Benedict XVI accepted Gerna's resignation from the pastoral governance of the Diocese of São Mateus on 3 October 2007.

He became bishop emeritus and continued living in São Mateus, occasionally participating in diocesan activities.

Honours

In 2005 the city of Sondrio granted Gerna honorary citizenship in recognition of his missionary and pastoral work in Brazil.