PIUS IX (Giovanni M. M. Ferretti, 1792-1878, Pope from 1846 who proclaimed the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception and whose Vatican Council formulated the Dogma of Papal Infallibility)

Rare Autograph draft letter, unsigned, in Italian with transcription and translation, written when he was Bishop of Imola (1832-1846), south east of Bologna, to the Mayor ('Gonfalionere') of nearby Lugo, saying that "The Hospital of Santa Maria della Scaletta at Imola remains firm in its determination to abandon a long and expensive Case, such as that which has been argued up till now before the Sacred Tribunal of the Rota on behalf of the Exposed Children of the Diocese", he has already so assured the Pro-Legate of Ferrara, but explaining that the Congregation, in view of the unexpected setting down of a hearing for the 23rd and possible judgement, has asked for a postponement "solely to give the Municipality of Imola time to examine the merits of the Case", not just to prove that "such good Citizens as are Members of the Congregation" do not want "to be thought indifferent", adding that "the special administration set up by Monsignor the Pro-Legate will employ every means for the relief of the Hospital, whatever the Prior of Conselice may think to the contrary", he assures the Mayor that the Hospital will withdraw, and that the Communal Council will accept "the encyclical of the Secretariat of State", believing that most of the Communes of the Province of Ravenna "have by now made their payments ... likewise ... those of the Province of Ferrara", and ending with his blessing, 2 sides 12¾" x 8½", no place, 21th March

From the collection of Hartwell de la Garde Grissell, 1839-1907, Oxford scholar and convert to Roman Catholicism, from 1869 a Chamberlain of Honour in personal attendance on Pius IX, Leo XIII and Pius X. His collection was housed at the Oxford Oratory until its dispersal in 1971.

Item Date:  1835

Stock No:  54230      £1250

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