 He was then ordained a priest on 17 November 1982 in the Diocese of Nocera Inferioe-Sarno.Over the course of his priesthood, Alfano has held the position of assistant vicar of San Bartolomeo Apostolo in Nocera Inferioie from 1982 to 1986, parish priest at Santa Maria della Grazie in the hamlet of Casali in Roccapiemonte from 1986 to 1989, parish priest at Santa Maria della Grazie in Angri from 1989, director of the Diocesan Institute of Religious Services from 1992 to 1996, and was responsible for training seminarians from 1993 to 2002.In 2001, he became episcopal vicar for the clergy in the diocese, and was the diocesan assistant to the youth of Azione Cattolica.