SINCERO, LUIGI. - Cardinal, b. at Trino Vercellese on 26 March 1879, d. at Rome on 7 Feb. 1936.
He studied at Vercelli and at Rome, taking degrees in philosophy, theology and canon law. He was ordained a priest in 1892. After serving as Vice-Rector of the Lombard College in Rome, he was canon theologian of Vercelli and a professor in that Seminary. He took a degree in jurisprudence at the University of Turin with full marks and distinction. He returned to Rome in 1908 as auditor of the S. R. Rota and was a valued consultor in many congregations. In 1912 he obtained enrollment in the Roll of Advocates of Rome, with the right to plead cases before the Court of Cassation. In 1917 he was appointed secretary of the Pontifical Commission for the Interpretation of the CIC and in 1920 assessor of the S. C. Consistorial, for which reason in 1922 he was secretary of the Conclave. On 23 May 1923 he was created cardinal deacon of S. Giorgio in Velabro, which he restored to its original splendor. In 1926 he was appointed pro-secretary and in 1927 secretary of the S. C. pro Ecclesia Orientali. In 1929 he received episcopal consecration at the hands of the Holy Father Pius XI. In 1933 he opted for the suburbicarian Church of Palestrina, where he carried out an effective episcopal ministry, restoring the Seminary and some churches of the diocese.
Of very keen intellect, of profound culture, a tireless worker, he loved the Christian East and promoted its growth. Pius XI had in him a valuable collaborator in the founding in Rome of the Russian, Ruthenian, Romanian, Armenian and Ethiopian Colleges. The Oriental canonical codification was brought by him to a good stage; while to him is due the reorganization of the Malankarese Church, which had returned to unity.
Bibliography
Giuseppe Mojol