In Memory of Prof. Giovanni Cereti

The academic community of the Pontifical Theological Faculty “Marianum” commends to the Lord’s mercy Prof. Fr. Giovanni Cereti, who returned to the Father’s house on the evening of Wednesday, July 1, 2026, surrounded by the love of his dear ones in his beloved city of Genoa.

Prof. Giovanni Cereti was born in Genoa in 1933. After earning a degree in law from the University of Genoa in 1956, he entered the seminary and was ordained a priest in 1960. He exercised his pastoral ministry in Genoa, Bouar (Central African Republic), and Rome, where for many years he served as Rector of the Church of the Genoese in Trastevere.

Subsequently, he resumed his theological studies, obtaining a doctorate in dogmatic theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in 1981. He then taught courses on ecumenism and interreligious dialogue at various theological faculties and institutes—including the San Bernardino Institute of Ecumenical Studies in Venice and our own theological faculty—educating generations of students.

Regarding his work with associations, in 1976 he initiated the “Anawim” Fraternity, and in 1980 he founded the Italian section of the World Conference of Religions for Peace. He made a significant contribution to the theological group of the SAE (Secretariat for Ecumenical Activities), where—together with the Waldensian pastor Prof. Paolo Ricca, who passed away in August 2024—he served as a wise guide and a witness to an authentic ecumenical spirit.

Among his numerous works, the following deserve special mention: *Divorzio, nuove nozze e penitenza nella chiesa primitiva* (1977), *Riforma della Chiesa e unità dei cristiani nell’insegnamento del Concilio Vaticano II* (1985), *Molte Chiese cristiane, un’unica Chiesa di Cristo* (1992), and *Amore, amicizia, matrimonio* (2022). It is also worth noting that Father Cereti oversaw the publication of several volumes of the *Enchiridion Oecumenicum*—issued by Dehoniane (Bologna)—which compile the most important texts regarding the ecumenical magisterium of the Christian Churches.

In accordance with the express wishes of his family, Father Cereti’s personal archive has been donated to our Faculty’s library. We thank the Lord and the Virgin Mother for the gift of this good man and for a teacher of such profound stature and prophetic vision. May his legacy remain a blessing for us all.