Father Benito Bottigliero of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions [PIME], was called to his eternal reward on the evening of August 16. He was born on 2 May 1935 in Aversa, Italy. He entered the PIME seminary in October 1946 and, after completing his philosophy studies in Italy, was sent for the theology to Maryglade, in the USA, in 1955 where he was ordained a priest on 14 March 1959.
He left for Hong Kong on 30 September 1960.
After studying Chinese in Cheung Chau, he was appointed assistant priest in St Jude’s Parish in North Point, where he worked from February 1962 to November 1967. In 1967 he returned to Italy for a holiday and remained for one year working as spiritual director in the PIME seminary.
In 1969, on his return to Hong Kong, he served as coadjutor in the Church of the Holy Rosary in Kowloon until October 1973 when he was transferred to Tai Po for two years.
In January 1976 he became assistant in the rectory of the Holy Spirit in Homantin, but in July of the same year, he was appointed rector of Fanling district.
In September 1980 he became pastor of St Anne’s Church in Stanley until 1987 when PIME invited him to leave Hong Kong and appointed him rector of the PIME House of Studies in Watford, England.
In November 1991 he returned to Hong Kong and was appointed assistant at the Church of Ss. Cosmas and Damian in Tsuen Wan.
In January 1993, he left for Canada to help Father Nicola Ruggiero with the Chinese community at Scarborough but stayed there for about a year before returning to Watford, in 1994.
Returning to Hong Kong in 2003, he was appointed parish priest of Our Lady of the Angels in Shun Lee. However, his health did not support his good intentions. In 2005, he became chaplain of the old people’s home in Sheng Shui until 2009 when he became one of its residents as his health deteriorated. Gradually, with ups and downs, he lost full control of his faculties.
The Little Sisters of the Poor took care of him for many years, with great charity. The sisters, together with other friends and fathers who live in St. Joseph’s Home for Aged, accompanied him with love and faith until his last day.
May he rest in peace!
