[1] He also fulfilled assignments as a professor of religion, diocesan assistant of Italian Sports Center, diocesan director of the Apostleship of Prayer, rector of the church sanctuary of Santa Rita and spiritual adviser of the minor seminary, and a member of the Council of Priests .

From 1997 to 2000, he was pro-vicar general of the Archdiocese of Messina-Lipari-Santa Lucia del Mela and served as well beginning in 1998 as proto-metropolitano canon of the chapter of the cathedral of Messina.

[3] On 23 February 2008, Pope Benedict XVI named him Archbishop of Agrigento, replacing Carmelo Ferraro, who had resigned because of his age.

[citation needed] On 4 January 2015, Pope Francis announced that he would make Montenegro a cardinal during the consistory in Rome on 14 February.

[11] On 19 June 2023, Pope Francis nominated him as Apostolic Administrator sede vacante of the Greek Catholic Eparchy of Piana degli Albanesi.