Diocese faces protests over Latin Mass, SSPX ban, treatment of priests
Italian Bishop Daniele Salera reportedly told one priest who said he was allotted only 10 minutes to say Mass that he could ‘go home to India’ or get psychiatric treatment.
Diocese of Ivrea cathedralShutterstock
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Tue Sep 22, 2026 - 7:45 pm EDT
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(LifeSiteNews) — An Italian diocese faces scathing criticism over the treatment of its priests, Latin Mass restrictions, and the closing of a shrine to an SSPX pilgrimage group.
Since Daniele Salera became bishop of the Diocese of Ivrea in February 2025, he has faced a slew of letters and protests, including over the forced resignation of Father Mario Viano, the transfer of Father Alberto Carlevato, the removal of Father Ugo Lodi, and the alleged mistreatment of Father Kamal Chelladurai. Bishop Salera has also ignited controversy over his orders to bar an SSPX pilgrimage group from entering a shrine, and his restrictions on a priest’s ability to offer the traditional Latin Mass.
Earlier this year, Salera limited the days Father Raffaele Roffino could offer the traditional Latin Mass (TLM) in the city of Turin, according to Giornale La Voce, which reported a reaction of consternation among the faithful who attended the TLM. They felt they were being treated as “second-class Catholics” in the diocese.
Just weeks later, a pilgrimage group led by priests of the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) set out for the Shrine of Our Lady of Sorrows outside Turin — a trip announced in advance — only to find the sanctuary doors closed and locked. The group had planned “only a few final prayers” upon arrival.
La Voce reported that the rector, Father Luca Meinardi, acted to close the shrine to the pilgrims by the orders of Bishop Salera. “A choice that inevitably clashes with an ecclesiastical lexicon that in recent years has emphasized words like welcome, inclusion, dialogue, and mercy,” the newspaper remarked at the time.
Father Aldo Rossi, leader of the pilgrimage, told the group when they arrived, “They open to everyone, except those who defend the doctrine.”
He pointed out in a statement that “Churches are opening their doors to Protestants, even allowing them to celebrate Mass in a parish here in Turin,” while they excluded the SSPX, which seeks to remain faithful to perennial Church teaching.
‘I really struggle to live like a slave’: The oppression of a missionary priest
Bishop Salera has also been challenged over his handling of priest assignments and care. In the most recent case, Father Chelladurai, a 42-year-old Indian missionary priest, wrote to Bishop Salera, the vicar general, the chancellor and the faithful on September 14. In the letter, he complained of burdensome conditions imposed by his superior, Father Davide Smiderle, parish administrator of Rondissone.
Fr. Chelladurai said Mass schedules left him only about 10 minutes to offer one Mass, a time allotment that makes it impossible to say the Mass in full. “I felt bad about celebrating a Mass in 10 minutes and giving so little time to the community,” the priest wrote.
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Fr. Chelladurai also said his personal belongings had been removed from the rectory, the rectory had been entered while he was away, and the doors were locked after he returned from Lourdes. Father Smiderle also reportedly sometimes spoke Piedmontese during meals “so that he would not understand,” according toAdVaticanum.
“I really struggle to live like a slave,” Fr. Chelladurai wrote.
He asked for help from Bishop Salera, but the bishop refused, telling him he could “go home to India” or go “to a psychiatric community for treatment.”
The Indian priest announced that he will be taking time away from ministry and has asked the laypeople of Rondissone whether they believed he had acted sincerely as a priest.
Faithful protest a priest’s suppression
In another instance earlier this year, the rectory of Father Viano in Bosconero was searched by the Forestry Carabinieri as part of an investigation by the Ivrea Prosecutor’s Office, allegedly over insufficient care of animals kept by Fr. Viano. During the search, about 200 grams of marijuana and thousands of euros in cash were seized. The investigation remains ongoing.
Bishop Salera forced the resignation of Fr. Viano, and the diocese said that they had mutually agreed for the priest to begin a period of “retreat and silence” while awaiting the results of the investigation. According to AdVaticanum, other sources indicated Fr. Viano did not agree to this.
The suppression of Fr. Viano sparked protests in Bosconero and San Benigno. Lay faithful sent letters and emails to Bishop Salera and organized a petition as well as a five-kilometer torchlight procession from San Benigno to Bosconero in April carrying the message: “We want our parish priest back.”
The faithful then met Bishop Salera’s arrival to Bosconero for a Confirmation on April 26 with a banner in the square reading: “I stand with Don Mario.”
Faithful request reconsideration of priest transfer
Father Carlevato, who had served Mazzè and Villareggia for 25 years, was then transferred to Bosconero and San Benigno to fill Fr. Viano’s shoes. A petition was subsequently launched asking Bishop Salera to reconsider Fr. Carlevato’s transfer, gathering 1,078 signatures.
In response to the transfer, a committee was formed called “We Are Church Too.” Faithful from Bosconero and San Benigno who wrote to Bishop Salera raised concerns not only about the cases of Fr. Viano and Fr. Carlevato but also about a dispute over parish assets in Montalenghe.
The signatories experienced a Church with the face “not of a mother, but of a stepmother,” they wrote.
Lay faithful later held a banner in Bosconero welcoming Fr. Carlevato but stating, “It’s Salera who needs to be kicked out.” It was removed before Mass, but its photo was later circulated.
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TAGGED AS
- Bishop Daniele Salera
- Persecution of clergy
- Sspx
- SSPX persecution
- SSPX pilgrimage sidelined
- TLM suppression
- Turin
