BENEDICT XV (Giacomo Paolo Giovanni della Chiesa, 1854-1922, from 1914 Pope)

Fine Autograph Letter Signed to Don Giovanni GENOCCHI (1860-1926, of the Congregation of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart), in Italian with translation, saying he has "this moment received some very sad news, regarding a step which Padre Egidi was about to take", the Pope "can hardly say how much I fear the scandal to which the news refers, both for the damage that it could do to the faithful and for the dishonour it would bring on the Congregation of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. But more than all it is Padre Egidi's soul that concerns me", he charges Genocchi "to talk to him not only as a fellow member of your Order, but also as my representative, and tell him that, in other times, the Pope would have come in person to draw him back from the brink of the precipice. And that if the unfortunate son has contracted some obligation within the natural order, I authorize you to tell him that the Pope will also make payment to whoever could prefer any claim against him. But let us avoid scandal; let us save souls!", the Pope's coat of arms in gold and colours at the head, with the autograph envelope addressed to Genocchi, 2 sides 4to. and conjugate blank, no place, 22nd June envelope lacks flap neatly removed
(Translation)
Dear Father Genocchi,
I have this moment received some very sad news, regarding a step which Father Egidi was about to take. I can hardly say how much I fear the scandal to which the news refers, both for the damage that it could do to the faithful and for the dishonour it would bring on the Congregation of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. But more than all it is Father Egidi's soul that concerns me.
Therefore I am charging you to go and see your confrère to do all you can to prevent him falling into the precipice. Talk to him not only as a fellow member of your Order, but also as my representative, and tell him that, in other times, the Pope would have come in person to draw him back from the brink of the precipice. And that if the unfortunate son has contracted some obligation within the natural order, I authorize you to tell him that the Pope will also make payment to whoever could prefer any claim against him. But let us avoid scandal; let us save souls!
Benedict PP XV
22nd June 1916


Padre V.M. Egidi was a well-known Missionary and Anthropologist. He spent many years in British New Guinea, in particular with the Mekeo tribe. On his return in 1912 he wrote in the journal of the Rome Anthropological Society about their marriage laws and ceremonies and about their musical instruments, followed by a public lecture in the great hall of the Collegio Romano on 12th January 1913.
Genocchi had also been to New Guinea, but in 1895, following illness abroad, became superior of the Congregation's house at Rome. In biblical studies he was attracted to progressive and modernist ideas, in particular the historical approach to the life of Jesus espoused by Loisy, whose ideas he defended to the Curia, and a course he gave in the Apollinare seminary was closed down after a few months. Undaunted, in 1900 he set up a tract society, with the future Benedict XV as president, which sold the gospels for the remarkable price of 20 centesimi.
Was Padre Egidi's crisis connected with his faith, perhaps a perceived conflict with 'science', or perhaps with money troubles?


Item Date:  1916

Stock No:  56208     

                


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