Mazzola studied at the seminary of
Palermo. He was ordained a priest on 16 July 1950, by
Ernesto Ruffini, archbishop of Palermo and future cardinal. After he worked as a
parson, Mazzola was appointed auxiliary bishop of Palermo in June 1982. He was consecrated on 4 September 1982 by Cardinal
Salvatore Pappalardo. On 23 July 1988,
Pope John Paul II appointed him bishop of Cefalù. In March 1995, he said that the Mafia activities in Sicily are a 'disgrace'. Mazzola became bishop emeritus on 18 March 2000. ==References==