Albert Conrad De Vito


Albert Conrad De Vito, O.F.M. Cap., an Italian Capuchin, was a prominent Roman Catholic clergyman in India who was installed as the first Bishop of Lucknow in December 1946.

Birth

He was born in Provvidenti in 1904 to Raffaele and Maria Felice Cinelli.

In Lucknow

On 20 January 1942, he was appointed the Parish Priest of St. Joseph’s Church of Lucknow. He was appointed first Bishop of the new Diocese of Lucknow on 12 December 1946. he was consecrated on 16 February 1947, the governor of U.P., Sir Francis Wylie extended full support and also attended the consecration and played an important role in the festivities that followed. He remained Bishop of Lucknow until 16 November 1970.

Social service

In early 1950, Bishop Conrad expressed deep concern for primary education. He founded Anand Bhawan School and Institute of the Maids of the Poor in Barabanki city. He also founded following:
When he came back to Bologna he founded the Casa della formazione for young people who didn’t have a stable future. Many Indian Schools are established in his name as "Bishop Conrad School". One of this school is in Bareilly as well.

Death

He died in 1970 in Bologna. Seven years after his death, Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister of India, requested and obtained permission for his remains to be laid to rest in the Cathedral of St. Joseph at Lucknow which he himself had promoted.

Books

He wrote the following books: