In September 1977 Cardona left for Italy where he started his ministry in the
Diocese of Tivoli. On 4 December 1977, he was appointed parish priest of the parish of St Philip Neri in Colle Fiorito di Guidonia. During his time in this parish, Cardona built a pastoral complex for the parish use. Cardona served in this parish until May 1989. On 1 April 1989, Cardinal
Ugo Poletti appointed Cardona as parish priest of the parish of San Liboria in
Rome. Cardona built a church and parish center dedicated to
St Liborius. It was consecrated on 7 November 1998 followed by a visit by
Pope John Paul II on 17 January 1999. In 1997 Cardona was nominated as Prefect of the eleven prefectures of the
Diocese of Rome by Cardinal
Camillo Ruini. Moreover, in May 2000 he was appointed a member of the Commission of Sacred Art of the Diocese of Rome. ==Archpriest of St George's==