Diocese of Cuneo-Fossano
The Diocese of Cuneo-Fossano is an ecclesiastical territory of the Catholic Church based in Cuneo, led by Bishop Piero Delbosco. Its territory includes, among others, the parish of the Cuore Immacolato di Maria (Immaculate Heart of Mary) in Cuneo [1].
Organisation and canonical justice
For canonical criminal proceedings involving diocesan clergy, the Diocese of Cuneo-Fossano refers to the Piedmontese Interdiocesan Tribunal, whose judicial vicar acts on the bishop's behalf. The tribunal's decisions may be subject to ratification by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Holy See body responsible for such matters [1].
The case of Father Carlo Occelli
In November 2026, the diocese announced, through a statement read by Bishop Piero Delbosco to the parish pastoral council on 4 November, the conclusion of canonical criminal proceedings against Father Carlo Occelli, former parish priest of the Cuore Immacolato di Maria parish in Cuneo, known as "don Ocio" [1][2].
The proceedings, opened in 2024, had awaited the conclusion of the parallel civil trial, in which the priest had agreed in 2025, under a plea bargain, to a sentence of one year and eight months for sexual acts with a parishioner who was a minor at the time [1][2]. The final decree, signed by the judicial vicar of the Piedmontese Interdiocesan Tribunal and ratified by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, found that the priest had an improper relationship with the young woman, begun while she was still a minor, in the context of his exercise of priestly ministry [1].
The measures imposed on Father Occelli include a three-year ban on exercising the acts of priestly order within the territory of the Diocese of Cuneo-Fossano, a requirement to reside outside it, in an ecclesiastical territory identified by the bishop in agreement with the local Ordinary, and a ban on approaching or contacting those involved in the case [1][2]. In setting the measure, the church authority took into account that the priest had accepted the civil justice ruling, had left his post as parish priest and had undertaken a programme of spiritual and psychological support, which continued after his assignment to a role with Caritas in Trieste [1][2]. The diocese accompanied the decision with a statement acknowledging the case's consequences for those involved and for the church community, reiterating the bishop's closeness to those who suffered as a result of the events [2].
Chronology
- — The Diocese of Cuneo-Fossano announces the conclusion of canonical proceedings against Father Carlo Occelli, known as "don Ocio", already convicted in 2025 under a plea bargain for sexual acts with a parishioner who was a minor at the time: for three years he will be barred from exercising his ministry or residing in the diocese. Cuneo24 CronacaQui Torino
Sources
- Cuneo24 — 5 November 2026
- CronacaQui Torino — 4 November 2026