GAVAZZI (Alessandro, 1809-1889, Roman Catholic Preacher, Anti-papal Publicist, supporter of Garibaldi, and founder of the first Italian Free Church, 1865)

Signature from the end of an Autograph Letter Signed in English, overleaf can be read "... only day I can devote [to your] wish, is the 7th September. The Sunday I shoul[d be] glad to pass ...", no date, circa

Gavazzi lived a turbulent life, arousing strong passions among the crowds he addressed. In 1847 he hastened to Rome to see Pius IX, who had given hopes of liberal reforms. Pius IX employed him as a chaplain in the North during the struggle with Austria, which he turned into a crusade. On one occasion 40,000 people came to hear him. Gavazzi's aims were not simply political, nor simply 'protestant', but a powerful combination, and a desire to return to Scriptural authority. After attacking the temporal power of the Church, in 1849 he fled to London on an American passport and a French safe conduct, and after initial privations travelled much in England, Scotland and North America. In the 1860s he was back in Italy. In 1870 an assembly at Milan voted the union of all the Italian Free Churches, but this did not materialize. His own Free Church united with the Methodists in 1905.

Item Date:  1855

Stock No:  50734      £75

             Add to Wish List     Order/Enquire