In 1978, he stopped teaching at the Lateran University and went back to Naples, called by the archbishop, card. Corrado Ursi, who appointed him Rector of the main seminary, a position he held until 1987, when he was appointed dean of the Saint Thomas Section of the Theological Faculty of Southern Italy. On March 23rd 1989, John Paul II appointed him auxiliary bishop of Naples in the Titular Church of Tortiboli. He was ordained bishop on May 13th 1989. After 11 years in Naples, on November 13th 1999 he was transferred to the Suburban Church of Albano, where he practised his Episcopal ministry for 5 years. Within the Italian Bishops Conference, he has been for many years a member of the Committee for legal affairs, and lately president of the Committee for ecclesiastic organisations and assets. On May 27th 2004, he was appointed by John Paul II prefect of the Supreme Court of the Apostolic Signature, while also becoming an archbishop. Benedict XVI made and published him cardinal in the Consistory of March 24th 2006. Card. Agostino Vallini is a member of several Congregations: for the Causes of the Saints; for the Bishops; for the Institutes of consecrated life and the Societies of Apostolic Life; for the evangelisation of peoples; of the Papal Council for legal texts; of the administration of the property of the apostolic see.
