Maybe it’s his calm and resolute voice, his infectious laugh or the way he talks about philosophy, all the while disarming you with jokes you wouldn’t expect from a priest.
Born in the small southern Italian town of Presenzano, in the province of Caserta - “known more for its mozzarella than its population, which has shrunk from 3000 to 1600” - Father Mirko is a priest who defies convention. And he makes no secret of it.
“I want to be a priest in my own way, not moulded by someone else’s idea of what a priest should be,” he says with a tone that’s both firm and playful.
“The Church often imposes a model, but I won’t conform to it. I’m Father Mirko, not a stereotype!”
Ordained in 2010 for the Catholic Diocese of Teano-Calvi in Italy, Father Mirko now serves in the Archdiocese of Sydney.
He holds a doctorate in Philosophy, for which he was awarded the Gold Medal from the Pontifical Salesian University in Rome as Best Researcher of 2019.
His academic credentials also include a degree in Educational Science, a master’s in theology and numerous other qualifications.
Before moving to Sydney, he held teaching positions at pontifical faculties in Naples and the Lateran University in Rome.
With a wealth of experience, he has also served as assistant to the Rector of the Lateran University, where he was also the coordinator of the Australian Summer Program and director of youth ministry and religious education.
Currently, he teaches at the Catholic Institute of Sydney and is actively involved in pastoral work in the city’s Archdiocese.
Interestingly, before donning the priestly collar, Father Mirko was a teacher.
“I started with primary school, then moved on to high school and finally, university,” he shares.
“Teaching was always my passion. But at 27, after my mother’s death, my life took a decisive turn. It was an existential void, and I found my answer in faith.”
Today, he continues to teach philosophy, but his approach is far from academic. “I don’t like abstract philosophy,” he admits.
“I care about the kind that changes your life, the kind that speaks to you while you’re in the shower.”
Father Mirko is quick to debunk myths about priestly life. “Before becoming a priest, I had significant romantic relationships,” he reveals.
“That helped me understand that celibacy isn’t a sacrifice for me. In fact, I’ll say this: I could never get married.
“I love my freedom too much, and marriage requires compromises I couldn’t handle. I thank God I didn’t make any poor woman miserable,” he laughs.
He also challenges other stereotypes. “When you tell people at the gym that you’re a priest, they give you strange looks,” he says.
“The moment they know, expectations kick in. You’re supposed to talk and act a certain way. But I just want to be authentic, not perfect.”
Since moving to Australia, Father Mirko has taken on the challenge of leading a diverse Italian community.
“The beautiful thing here is the variety. You meet people of all colours, cultures and backgrounds,” he shares.
“But it’s also a challenge; the first-generation Italians were deeply connected to the community, but today’s generation isn’t as much.
“We need to work on fostering a new sense of belonging, especially for the younger crowd.”
He’s not afraid to critique, but always does so with a touch of humour. “We talk a lot about our roots, but our kids can’t even speak Italian,” he laments.
“At the gym, I hear Chinese and Croatian teenagers speaking their languages fluently, while our youth struggle. We need more pride and less rhetoric.”
Father Mirko’s view of faith is equally practical. “Faith isn’t the absence of doubt; it’s learning to live with uncertainty,” he says.
“Like falling in love, migrating or choosing a university - you never have absolute certainty.
“But you make a choice, with courage. Even in science, there’s a margin of doubt. Living means having faith in something.”
When asked for his message to modern society, Father Mirko says, “I want a God who’s relevant in the shower. A God who inspires you during the most ordinary moments.”
“Not an abstract idea, but a message that helps you become a better, more grounded person. That’s what I aim to convey. It’s not about perfection but about the journey.”
Father Mirko radiates energy and sincerity. With his unique blend of philosophy, humour and faith, he’s found his own way of being a priest.
“In the end, it all comes down to one thing: the love you give. That’s the only thing that lasts.”
