This is precisely what Simone Maria Mameli, a 47-year-old from Pirri, claimed. He was identified in a statement Tuesday from the diocese of Cagliari, where he was labeled a "fake priest."
Mameli, however, is keen to reiterate a point: he is not part of the Catholic Church, much less of the diocese of Cagliari, but of the Old Catholic Church.
He even carries a membership card: "Yes, it's different," he emphasizes. "I am a bishop consecrated by another church, thank God, not the Roman one. There is freedom of worship, and as bishops of another church, one can celebrate."
The replica
The Curia of Cagliari has called Mameli a "pseudo-bishop" and warned that his claimed episcopal consecration is null and void, therefore the sacraments and sacramentals he administered are invalid.
"They called me a schismatic and said I was neither a priest nor a bishop, but they were wrong: they should have said I am not a priest and bishop of their church," the 47-year-old pointed out.
He then disputes the reply: "As soon as I was ordained, first Orthodox and then upon transitioning to the Old Catholic Church, I sent the communications by email. I don't know whether they trashed them or otherwise used them, but I communicated my ordinations once I became a bishop."
The difference
Throughout his religious experience, Mameli has belonged to several institutions, but he didn't have any qualifications with the Catholic Church.
"I was never a Catholic priest, but I was baptized and received the sacraments in the Roman Catholic Church. Then I left in 2012 because I was really hurt, ever since Arrigo Miglio sent me a warning."
From there, he embarked on a different path: "I joined the Orthodox Church of Monsignor Basil III, but I got bored there. Also because I experienced serious incidents, like once having my cassock ripped off in the street."
Since last August, Mameli has been a member of the Old Catholic Church: an institution, presided over by Vincenzo Avvinti, headquartered in a spiritual center in Ciminna, in the province of Palermo.
The archdiocese of the Sicilian capital defined it—in 2022—as a "private initiative," where "public worship by any priest has not been authorized." And, it should be noted, Mameli declares that he always presents himself to the faithful "as a bishop of the Old Catholic Church and not of the Roman Church."
The passage
To explain the differences between the two institutions, Mameli says that "the Roman Church celebrates a new ritual; it has changed the Our Father and the Gloria in parts of the liturgy. Unlike them, we have changed nothing: we celebrate the rite of Saint Pius V in Latin with our backs to the people."
The followers currently number only a few hundred in total (about ten in Sardinia).
A specification that, however, did not convince the Curia of Cagliari, which urged priests to keep an eye on Mameli and the faithful not to follow him or report him.
"It's their vice: they oppose those who want to become Anglican, Orthodox, Jehovah's Witnesses, and so on," he responded.
Vocation
The Curia's notice suggests that Mameli celebrated Mass without any titles. And that, in addition to his role as bishop, he presented himself as president of the Italian Episcopal Conference (CEI).
He disputes this claim: "I have never worked, as they say, in Catholic parishes or churches. And I always explain the differences."
Given that a simple search is enough to see the difference, the question is inevitable: how do you earn a living? "I don't receive a salary from the Old Catholic Church; I receive a small disability pension for a back problem. And I haven't received any financial offers from my business in Sardinia."
He reiterates his commitment to this activity: "Since August, I've ordained two bishops, then one passed away and one is seriously ill in the hospital. Unfortunately, we don't have any churches here in Cagliari; we did it in a room used as a church where there were also some faithful."
He also reiterates his conviction: "They can do as they please in their church, I'll do as I please in mine. And I won't return to the Catholic one."