The Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church

Biographical Dictionary
Pope Pius IX (1846-1878)
Consistory of September 30, 1850 (IV)

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(9) 1. ASTROS, Paul-Thérèse-David d'
(1772-1851)

Birth. October 15 (1), 1772, Tourves, diocese of Aix, France. He was the sixth child (fourth boy) of Jean François Louis d’Astros (1731-1789), royal notary in Tourves, and Marie-Madeleine-Angélique Portalis (ca.1745-1792), who was the sister of a minister of Emperor Napoléon I of France, Jean-Étienne-Marie Portalis (1746-1807), chief of the Department (1801-1804) and later minister of Worships (1804-1807).

Education. Military service, 1793-1794. Received the minor orders and subdiaconate, Paris, 1795. He studied at the Bon Pasteur School in Marseille from 1784, continuing his studies at home with a private tutor from 1790. Received the ecclesiastical tonsure, 1788. Expelled with his family from Tourves in 1792, they took refuge in Marseille, then in Aix and shortly after he joined the Army in 1793. Destined to Toulon, he escaped, hiding in Tourves and then in Lyon until, regularized his situation through his uncle Minister Portalis, could legally reside in Marseille, where he collaborated with the clandestine Church. Sent to be ordained in Paris in 1795, he received the minor orders, the subdiaconate, and in May 1795, the diaconate May 1795 and resided in the house of his uncle Minister Portalis.

Priesthood. Ordained, September 23, 1797, Marseille. As chief of his uncle's cabinet, he intervened decisively in the selection of the bishops named after the Concordat of 1801 between Emperor Napoléon I and Pope Pius VII. To a large extent, thanks to him, worthy and quality candidates to the eppiscopate were selected. Vicar general of the archdiocese of Paris, September 1805 to 1808; vicar capitular, 1808-1817; imprisoned in Vicennes for promulgating Pope Pius VII's bull excommunicating Emperor Napoléon, January 1811 to 1814.

Episcopate. Elected bishop of Orange, October 1, 1817; the see was not erected. Transferred to the see of Saint-Flour, February 21, 1820. Transferred to the see of Bayonne, May 29, 1820. Consecrated, July 9, 1820, Paris, by Hyacinthe-Louis de Quélen, titular archbishop of Traianopoli, coadjutor of Paris, with right of succession, assisted by Jean de Coucy, archbishop of Reims, and by Marc de Bombelles, bishop of Amiens. Promoted to the metropolitan see of Toulouse, July 5, 1830. Promoted to the cardinalate at the request of Louis Napoléon, president of the French Republic.

Cardinalate. Created cardinal priest in the consistory of September 30, 1850; died before receiving the red hat and title.

Death. September, 29 (2), 1851, Toulouse. Exposed and buried in the metropolitan cathedral of Toulouse, October 7, 1851.

Bibliography. Berton, Charles. Dictionnaire des cardinaux, contenant des notions générales sur le cardinalat, la nomenclature complète ..., des cardinaux de tous less temps et de tous les pays ... les détails biographiques essentiels sur tous les cardinaux ... de longues études sur les cardinaux célèbre ... Paris : J.-P. Migne, 1857 ; Facsimile edition. Farnborough ; Gregg, 1969, cols. 266-286; Chapeau, O.S.B. André and Fernand Combaluzier, C.M. Épiscopologe français des temps modernes, 1592-1973. Paris : Letouzey et Ané, 1974, p. 171-172; "Cardinali defunti", La Gerarchia Cattolica e la Famiglia Pontificia per l'anno 1876. Roma : Tipografia dei Fratelli Monaldi, 1875, p.; 110-111; Ritzler, Remigium, and Pirminum Sefrin. Hierarchia Catholica Medii et Recentioris Aevi. Volumen VII (1800-1846). Patavii : Typis et Sumptibus Domus Editorialis "Il Messaggero di S. Antonio" apud Basilicam S. Antonii, 1968, pp. 96, 103, 196 and 367; Ritzler, Remigium, and Pirminum Sefrin. Hierarchia Catholica Medii et Recentioris Aevi. Volumen VIII (1846-1903). Patavii : Typis et Sumptibus Domus Editorialis "Il Messaggero di S. Antonio" apud Basilicam S. Antonii, 1979, pp. 10.

Webgraphy. Vie du cardinal d'Astros, archevêque de Toulouse, suivie de pièces justificatives et de documents inédits by Jean Baptiste Caussette, 1819-1880, Paris, Auguste Vaton Librairie-Éditeur, Rue de Bac, 50, 1853, Hathi Trust, full view; biography, in English, The Catholic Encyclopedia.

(1) This is according to Caussette, Vie du cardinal d'Astros, Ritzler, Hierarchia Catholica Medii et Recentioris Aevi, VII, 96; Chapeau, Épiscopologe français des temps modernes, 1592-1973, p. 171-172; and Berton, Dictionnaire des cardinaux, col. 266. La Gerarchia Cattolica e la Famiglia Pontificia per l'anno 1876, p. 110, says that he was born on October 13, 1772. The feast of Sainte-Thérèse of Avila is on October 15 and that is why his second name is Thérèse.
(2) This is according to Ritzler, Hierarchia Catholica Medii et Recentioris Aevi, VII, 367 and VIII, 10; Chapeau, Épiscopologe français des temps modernes, 1592-1973, p. 171-172; Berton, Dictionnaire des cardinaux, col. 285; and his biography in English, linked above; La Gerarchia Cattolica e la Famiglia Pontificia per l'anno 1876, p. 111, says that he died on September 30, 1851.

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(10) 2. BONEL Y ORBE, Juan José
(1782-1857)

Birth. March 17, 1782, Pinos del Rey (1), archdiocese of Granada, Spain. Son of Nicolás Bonel y Martín (1751-?), regidor perpetuo of Pinos del Valle, and Ana María Orbe y Orbe Aguado y López de Guzmán (1755-1822).

Education. Studied at the University of Granada, where he obtained a doctorate in canon law.

Priesthood. Ordained, 1805. Pastor of San Pedro y San Pablo Parish, Granada. In the diocese of Málaga, diocesan administrator, sede vacante; doctoral canon of its cathedral chapter. Presented by the King of Spain for the see of Ibiza in 1830 but not preconized by the pope.

Episcopate. Elected bishop of Málaga, February 28, 1831. Consecrated, Sunday, June 12, 1831, metropolitan cathedral of Granada, by Blas Joaquín Álvarez de Palma, archbishop of Granada, assisted by Antonio Sánchez Mata, former bishop of La Paz and abbot of Alcalá la Real, and by José Uraga Pérez, bishop of Guadix. Transferred to the see of Córdoba, June 29, 1833. Member of the Chamber of Próceres of the kingdom, 1834-1835. Senator for Almería, 1837. Promoted to the metropolitan see of Granada, October 18, 1838. Senator for the provinces of Granada, 1838. Vice-president of the Senate, 1838-1839. Named patriarch of the West Indies in 1839, by the Spanish government without papal approval because the diplomatic relations were broken. That titular see was still occupied by Patriarch Antonio Allué y Sessé. Senator for Granada, 1840. Senator for life from 1845. Promoted to the primatial and metropolitan see of Toledo, October 4, 1847.

Cardinalate. Created cardinal priest in the consistory of September 30, 1850; received red hat and title of S. Maria della Pace, November 30, 1854.

Death. February 11 (2), 1857, Madrid. Exposed in Madrid and buried in the chapel of Santiago, in a niche on the south wall, in the primatial and metropolitan cathedral of Toledo (3).

Bibliography. "Cardinali defunti", La Gerarchia Cattolica e la Famiglia Pontificia per l'anno 1876. Rome : Tipografia dei Fratelli Monaldi, 1875, pp. 116-117; Guitarte Izquierdo, Vidal. Episcopologio Español (1700-1867). Españoles obispos en España, América, Filipinas y otros países. Rome : Instituto Español de Historia Eclesiástica, 1994. (Publicaciones del Instituto Español de Historia Eclesiástica; Subsidia; 29), p. 176; Orive, A. "Bonel y orbe, Juan José." Diccionario de historia eclesiástica de España. 4 vols. Dirigido por Quintín Aldea Vaquero, Tomás Marín Martínez, José Vives Gatell. Madrid : Instituto Enrique Flórez, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 1972-1975, I, 273; Ritzler, Remigium, and Pirminum Sefrin. Hierarchia Catholica Medii et Recentioris Aevi. Volumen VII (1800-1846). Patavii : Typis et Sumptibus Domus Editorialis "Il Messaggero di S. Antonio" apud Basilicam S. Antonii, 1968, pp. 250; Ritzler, Remigium, and Pirminum Sefrin. Hierarchia Catholica Medii et Recentioris Aevi. Volumen VIII (1846-1903). Patavii : Typis et Sumptibus Domus Editorialis "Il Messaggero di S. Antonio" apud Basilicam S. Antonii, 1979, pp. 10, 50 and 558.

Webgraphy. Biography by Vicente Cárcel Ortí, in Spanish, Diccionario Biográfico Español, DB~e; portraits, arms and biography, in Spanish, Ayuntamiento de Dúrcal; his portrait and biography, in Spanish, Wikipedia; his arms, portrait and engraving, Araldica Vaticana.

(1) This is according to Ritzler, Hierarchia Catholica Medii et Recentioris Aevi, VII, p. 250; Guitarte, Episcopologio Español (1700-1867), p. 176, says that he was born in Pinar.
(2) This is according to Ritzler, Hierarchia Catholica Medii et Recentioris Aevi, VIII, 10; Guitarte, Episcopologio Español (1700-1867), p. 176, indicates that he died on February 11/12, 1857; "Cardinali defunti", La Gerarchia Cattolica e la Famiglia Pontificia, p. 116, says that he died on February 12, 1857.
(3) This is the text of the inscription on his tomb, kindly provided by Mr. Mark West, from London:

HIC IACET
EM D D JOAN. JOSEPH BONEL Y ORBE S R E PRESB CARDIN ARCHIEP TOLETAN.
OBIIT III IDUS FEBR. AN. MDCCCLVII
R I P

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(11) 3. COSENZA, Giuseppe
(1788-1863)

Birth. February 20, 1788, Naples; baptized the same day. Of a noble family. Received the sacrament of confirmation, December 22, 1807. Cousin of Cardinal Francesco Saverio Apuzzo (1877). Uncle of Gennaro Cosenza (1852-1930), archbishop of Capua.

Education. Studied at the University of Naples, where he earned a doctorate in theology.

Priesthood. Ordained, March 14, 1812. In the archdiocese of Naples, protector of the Urban Seminary; professor of dogmatic theology and Hebrew; archepiscopal lyceum; ordinary examiner; prosynodal examiner.

Episcopate. Elected bishop of Andria, July 2, 1832. Consecrated, July 8, 1832, in the church of Santa Maria in Vallicella, Rome, by Cardinal Giovanni Francesco Falzacappa, assisted by Luigi Bottiglia, titular archbishop of Perge, and by Giovanni Nicola Tanari, titular archbishop of Nicosia. Promoted to the metropolitan see of Capua, September 30, 1850.

Cardinalate. Created cardinal priest in the consistory of September 30, 1850; received red hat and title of S. Maria in Traspontina, October 3, 1850.

Death. March 30, 1863, Capua. Exposed in the metropolitan cathedral of Capua and buried in the cemetery of the city. On July 30, 1913, his remains were exhumed, together with those of his cousin Cardinal Francesco Saverio Apuzzo, and brought to the metropolitan cathedral of Capua, through the initiative of Archbishop Gennaro Cosenza, in a solemn and moving ceremony. The monument commemorating Cardinal Apuzzo was paid for by the Cathedral Chapter, and the Archdeacon Canon Raffaele Musone composing its epitaph (1).

Bibliography. "Cardinali defunti", La Gerarchia Cattolica e la Famiglia Pontificia per l'anno 1876, Roma : Tipografia dei Fratelli Monaldi, 1875, p. 123; Ritzler, Remigium, and Pirminum Sefrin. Hierarchia Catholica Medii et Recentioris Aevi. Volumen VII (1800-1846). Patavii : Typis et Sumptibus Domus Editorialis "Il Messaggero di S. Antonio" apud Basilicam S. Antonii, 1968, p. 74; Ritzler, Remigium, and Pirminum Sefrin. Hierarchia Catholica Medii et Recentioris Aevi. Volumen VIII (1846-1903). Patavii : Typis et Sumptibus Domus Editorialis "Il Messaggero di S. Antonio" apud Basilicam S. Antonii, 1979, pp. 10, 51 and 180; Weber, Christoph. Kardinäle und Prälaten in den letzten Jahrzehnten des Kirchenstaates : Elite-Rekrutierung, Karriere-Muster u. soziale Zusammensetzung d. kurialen Führungsschicht zur Zeit Pius' IX. (1846-1878). Stuttgart : Hiersemann, 1978. (Päpste und Papsttum; Bd. 13, I-II), II, 537, 547, 559, 585, 603, 617, 620, and 637.

(1) This is the text of the epitaph in his monument in the cathedral of Capua, kindly provided by Mr. Eman Bonnici, from Malta:

IOSEPHO COSENZA
QUI PRIMUM AD EPM. ANDRIAE SEDEM AN.
MDCCCXXII EVECTUS
POSTEA AN. MDCCCL CAMPANUS AR-
CHIIEP. ET S. R. E. CARDIN. RENUNTIATUS
DOMUS DEI DECOREM
IMPENSE DILEXIT ET BENEFICENTIA REFULSIT
ATQUE OMNIA BONI PA-
STORIS MUNIA SANCTA OBIVIT
QUIQUE ANNOS NATUS LXXV DECESSIT
IV KAL. APR. AN. MDCCCLXIII.
HUIUS METROPOLITANAE EC-
CL.AE CANONICI PONTIFICI BENEMERENTISSIMO
HOC MONUMENTUM GRATI
ANIMI PUBLICIQUE DESIDERII TESTEM
P. P. AN. MDCCCLXXXIX.

Upon the vault itself there is the following inscription, also kindly provided by Mr. Bonnici:
QUOD IN VOTIS OMNIUM ERAT
UT BENEMERENTISSIMI HUIUS CARD. ARCHIEPISCOPI
CINERES
IN HAC METROPOLITANA ECCLESIA
QUAM IN AUGUSTIOREM ET ELEGANTIOREM FORMAM
REDEGIT
IN PACE SEPULCRI COMPOSITAE QUIESCERENT
PRONEPOS IANUARIUS COSENZA
HUIUS CAMPANAE ECCLESIAE ARCHIEPISCOPUS
DIE XXX IULII MCMXIII
FUNEBRI POMPA PERSOLVIT

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(12) 4. MATHIEU, Jacques-Marie-Adrien-Césaire
(1796-1875)

Birth. January 20, 1796, Paris, France. Son of Antoine Mathieu (1760-1828), who was born in Marseille but from a family of merchants established in Genoa and Livorno, who settled in Lyon, and Etiennette Hugonne Montalan (1757-1835), from a family of silk merchants in Lyon, in which her husband went to work. His parents settled in Paris in 1789, where his father worked as a business agent.

Early life. A lawyer since April 1817, he worked as an employee of a solicitor and managed the properties of the Montmorency family in the Landes until he entered the seminary.

Education. Studied at Saint-Sulpice Seminary, Paris, from 1819.

Priesthood. Ordained, June 1, 1822. After being ordained, he was honorary canon of Notre Dame de Paris in 1822. He was immediately appointed secretary to Charles-Louis Salmon de Chatellier, bishop of Evreux. Named superior of the Seminary of Evreux with the title of vicar general. Titular canon of Paris, August 1828. Director of the Congregation, March 1828, and directed the Society of Good Studies, linked to it. He was pastor of the Madeleine, April 1831, which at that time, had not yet built the church, and was housed in the church of the Assumption, after being appointed vicar general (honorary) of Paris and promoter of the Legal Office of the archdiocese of Paris in 1829.

Episcopate. Elected bishop of Langres, December 17, 1832. Consecrated, February 10, 1833, in the Carmelite Church, rue de Vaugirard. Paris, by Hyacinthe-Louis de Quélen, archbishop of Paris, assisted by Marie-Joseph de Prilly, bishop of Châlos, and by Romain Gallard, bishop of Meaux. Promoted to the metropolitan see of Besançon, September 30, 1834. Assistant at the Pontifical Throne, February 14, 1843.

Cardinalate. Created cardinal priest in the consistory of September 30, 1850; received red hat and title of S. Silvestro in Capite, March 18, 1852. Participated in the First Vatican Council, 1869-1870; opposed the dogmatic definition of papal infallibility but as soon as it was passed by the council, supported it without reservations.

Death. July 9, 1875, Besançon. Exposed and buried in the metropolitan cathedral of Besançon.

Bibliography. Berton, Charles. Dictionnaire des cardinaux, contenant des notions générales sur le cardinalat, la nomenclature complète ..., des cardinaux de tous less temps et de tous les pays ... les détails biographiques essentiels sur tous les cardinaux ... de longues études sur les cardinaux célèbre ... Paris : J.-P. Migne, 1857 ; Facsimile edition. Farnborough ; Gregg, 1969, cols. 1194-1195; Chapeau, O.S.B. André and Fernand Combaluzier, C.M. Épiscopologe français des temps modernes, 1592-1973. Paris : Letouzey et Ané, 1974, p. 409-410; Ritzler, Remigium, and Pirminum Sefrin. Hierarchia Catholica Medii et Recentioris Aevi. Volumen VII (1800-1846). Patavii : Typis et Sumptibus Domus Editorialis "Il Messaggero di S. Antonio" apud Basilicam S. Antonii, 1968, pp. 110 and 241; Ritzler, Remigium, and Pirminum Sefrin. Hierarchia Catholica Medii et Recentioris Aevi. Volumen VIII (1846-1903). Patavii : Typis et Sumptibus Domus Editorialis "Il Messaggero di S. Antonio" apud Basilicam S. Antonii, 1979, pp. 10 and 52; Surugue, René Charles Gustave Marcel. Les archevêques de Besançon. Biographies et portraits. Histoire densemble de las Franchecomte. Histoire générale du diocèse et de la Ville de Besançon. Besançon : Impr. Jacques et Demontrond, 1931.

Webgraphy. His photograph by Pierre Petit, musée d'Orsay, Paris, Réunion des musées nationaux Grand Palais.

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(13) 5. ROMO Y GAMBOA, Judas José
(1779-1855)

Birth. January 7, 1779 (1), Cañízar, archdiocese of Toledo, Spain. Son of Brigadier Francisco Romo y Gamboa (1746-1813) and Ramona Fernández Manrique (1750-1787), from Condemios. Brother of Lorenzo (1775-post 1839), procurator for Guadalajara (1834-1836); and of Francisco (1785-1849), senator (1840-44) and diputado for Guadalajara (1847-1849).

Education. Studied at the University of Huesca, where he obtained a doctorate in utroque iuris, both civil and canon law.

Priesthood. Ordained (no further information found). Canon of the cathedral chapter of Sigüenza.

Episcopate. Elected bishop of Canarias, January 20, 1834. Consecrated, Thursday, May 1, 1834, Oratorian church of San Felipe de Neri, Madrid, by Pedro José Fonte y Hernández, archbishop of México. Assistant at the Pontifical Throne, May 27, 1834. Senator for life from 1845. Promoted to the metropolitan see of Sevilla, December 17, 1847.

Cardinalate. Created cardinal priest in the consistory of September 30, 1850; died before receiving the red hat and title.

Death. January 11, 1855 (2), at 10 a.m., in the archiepiscopal place of Umbrete, Sevilla. Exposed and buried in the metropolitan cathedral of Sevilla (3).

Bibliography. "Cardinali defunti", La Gerarchia Cattolica e la Famiglia Pontificia per l'anno 1876. Rome : Tipografia dei Fratelli Monaldi, 1875, p. 115; Cuenca, J.M. "Romo y Gamboa, Judas José." Diccionario de historia eclesiástica de España. 4 vols. Dirigido por Quintín Aldea Vaquero, Tomás Marín Martínez, José Vives Gatell. Madrid : Instituto Enrique Flórez, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 1972-1975, III, 5109-5110; Guitarte Izquierdo, Vidal. Episcopologio Español (1700-1867). Españoles obispos en España, América, Filipinas y otros países. Rome : Instituto Español de Historia Eclesiástica, 1994. (Publicaciones del Instituto Español de Historia Eclesiástica; Subsidia; 29), p. 179; "Romo y Gamboa, Judas José," Enciclopedia universal ilustrada europeo-americana. 70 vols. Madrid : Espasa-Calpe, 1958, c1907?-1930, II, 226; Ritzler, Remigium, and Pirminum Sefrin. Hierarchia Catholica Medii et Recentioris Aevi. Volumen VII (1800-1846). Patavii : Typis et Sumptibus Domus Editorialis "Il Messaggero di S. Antonio" apud Basilicam S. Antonii, 1968, pp. 130; Ritzler, Remigium, and Pirminum Sefrin. Hierarchia Catholica Medii et Recentioris Aevi. Volumen VIII (1846-1903). Patavii : Typis et Sumptibus Domus Editorialis "Il Messaggero di S. Antonio" apud Basilicam S. Antonii, 1979, p. 10 and 308.

Webgraphy. Biography by Vicente Cárcel Ortí, in Spanish, Diccionario Biográfico Español, DB~e; his portrait and biography, in Spanish, Wikipedia; his portrait by José María Romero, archiepiscopal palace of Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain (toward the end of the page); his arms, Araldica Vaticana; Pastoral del Excmo. Sr. D. Judas José Romo, Arzobispo de Sevilla á sus diocesanos a la entrada en su gobierno, Madrid : Imprenta y fundición de D. Eusebio Aguado, 1848, Biblioteca Virtual del Patrimonio Bibliográfico (BVPB).

(1) This is according to Guitarte, Episcopologio Español (1700-1867), p. 179; and Ritzler, Hierarchia Catholica Medii et Recentioris Aevi, VII, 130; "Cardinali defunti", La Gerarchia Cattolica e la Famiglia Pontificia per l'anno 1876, p. 115, says that he was born on January 9, 1779 in Cavixar, archdiocese of Toledo; Cuenca, "Romo y Gamboa, Judas José", Diccionario de historia eclesiástica de España, III, 5109, says that he was born on January 7, 1773; "Romo y Gamboa, Judas José," Enciclopedia universal ilustrada europeo-americana, LII, 226, also says that he was born on January 7, 1773.
(2) This is according to Ritzler, Hierarchia Catholica Medii et Recentioris Aevi, VIII, 10; and Guitarte, Episcopologio Español (1700-1867), p. 179; "Cardinali defunti", La Gerarchia Cattolica e la Famiglia Pontificia per l'anno 1876, p. 115, indicates that he died on February 13, 1855.
(3) This is the text of the inscription on his tomb, taken from Memorias sepulcrales de la Catedral de Sevilla. Los manuscritos de Loaysa y González de León by Juan José Antequera Luengo, C. de la Real Academia dela Historia, Sevilla, 2008, Faceediciones p. 169:

R.I. P.A.
Ossa et cineres Emmi. Excmi. et Rmi. D.D. Judæ Joseph a Romo et Gamboa, Cardinalis Archiepiscopo Hispalensis.
Obiit XI Ianuarii anni MDCCCLV. Orate pro eo. descanse en paz. Amen.
Huesos y cenizas del Emmo., Excmo. y Rdmo. Sr. Don Judas José Romo y Gamboa, cardenla arzobispo de Sevilla.
Falleció el día 11 de enero del año del Señor de 1855. Orad por él.

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(14) 6. GOUSSET, Thomas
(1792-1866)

Birth. May 1, 1792, Montigny-les-Cherlieux, archdiocese of Besançon, France. He was the eighth child of Thomas Gousset (1754-1837), a peasant, and Marguerite Bournom (1759-1845). He worked the land in his youth. Before studying in Besançon he did it in the parish school of Amance from October 1809.

Education. Studied at Collége de Besançon (bachelor's in letters, November 22, 1811; philosophy, at its Faculty of Letters, 1812); Grand Seminary of Besançon, 1813-1817, earning a doctorate in theology.

Priesthood. Ordained, July 22, 1817. In the archdiocese of Besançon, vicar in the parish of Bouhans les Lure for nine months; professor of dogmatic theology and moral theology in its seminary for twelve years, 1818-1830; he followed and taught the opinions professed by the Blessed Alfonso Maria de Liguori in his theological works. Vicar general of the archdiocese of Besançon, August 22, 1830 until 1835. Member of the Académie de Besançon, January 28, 1831.

Episcopate. Elected bishop of Périgueaux, February 1, 1836. Consecrated, March 6, 1836, church Des Carmes, Paris, by Hyacinthe-Louis de Quélen, archbishop of Paris, assisted by Charles de Forbin-Janson, bishop of Nancy, and by Eugène de Mazenod, titular bishop of Icosio and apostolic visitor of the missions of Tunis. Promoted to the metropolitan see of Reims, July 13, 1840. Founded the Académie des Sciences, Arts et Belles Lettres de Reims on December 15, 1841; he also established the archiepiscopal library. Assistant at the Pontifical Throne and Roman count, December 2, 1845. Member of the Superior Council of Public Instruction.

Cardinalate. Created cardinal priest in the consistory of September 30, 1850; received red hat and title of S. Callisto, April 10, 1851. Senator of the Empire, 1852. Attended in Rome the ceremony of the proclamation of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, December 8, 1854. Commander of the Légion d'Honneur, 1858. He was a prolific writer.

Death. December 22, 1866, Reims. Exposed in the metropolitan cathedral of Reims and buried in the church of Saint-Thomas which he had founded in that city. His heart, enclosed in a golden urn with his arms, was placed in one of the two bronze columns of the abbatial chapel of the cathedral.

Bibliography. Chapeau, O.S.B. André and Fernand Combaluzier, C.M. Épiscopologe français des temps modernes, 1592-1973. Paris : Letouzey et Ané, 1974, p. 321-322; Du Saussois, Auguste. Cardinal Gousset. Paris : [s.n.], 1877. Note: En avant-titre : "Galerie des hommes utiles"; Fèvre, Justin Louis Pierre. Histoire de Son Éminence le Cardinal Gousset, archevêque de Reims. Paris : Lecoffre, 1882; Gourret, Jean. Le Cardinal Gousset canoniste et quelques problèmes religieux au XIXe siècle. [S.l.] : l'auteur, 1957. Dissertation: Thèse. Droit. Paris. 1957; Gousset, J. Le cardinal Gousset; sa vie, ses oeuvres, son influence. Besançon, H. Bossanne, 1903. Note: Ouvrage couronné par les Académies de Reims et de Besançon; Ritzler, Remigium, and Pirminum Sefrin. Hierarchia Catholica Medii et Recentioris Aevi. Volumen VII (1800-1846). Patavii : Typis et Sumptibus Domus Editorialis "Il Messaggero di S. Antonio" apud Basilicam S. Antonii, 1968, pp. 303 and 322; Ritzler, Remigium, and Pirminum Sefrin. Hierarchia Catholica Medii et Recentioris Aevi. Volumen VIII (1846-1903). Patavii : Typis et Sumptibus Domus Editorialis "Il Messaggero di S. Antonio" apud Basilicam S. Antonii, 1979, pp.10 and 47.

Webgraphy. Biography by Pierre Auguste Fournet, in English, The Catholic Encyclopedia; his arms, engraving and photograph, Araldica Vaticana.

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(15) 7. SOMMERAU BEECKH, Maximilian Joseph Gottfried von
(1769-1853)

Birth. December 21, 1769, Vienna, Austria, and baptized on that same day. He was the second son of Baron Gottfried Wilhelm von Sommerau-Beeckh (1743-1787) and Klara von Summer (1747-1807). Although he was the second son, his older brother Karl, died at age 12 in 1779, therefore, he became the firstborn and only male.

Early life. Attended the Jesuit college, Vienna, before entering the army; lieutenant of cavalry, 1788-1791.

Education. Studied theology in Vienna. Received the insignias of the clerical character and the minor orders, November 11, 1792; the subdiaconate, August 24, 1797; and the diaconate, September 3, 1797.

Priesthood. Ordained, September 10, 1797. Parish cooperator in Pillichsdorf; in Vienna, at St. Florian and St. Angels Custodian; in Hernals, near Vienna; Matzleinsdorf; and in Wieden. Chaplain of the country legions of Vienna, 1809. Pastor of St. Leopold, Vienna, 1810. In the archdiocese of Olomouc, non-resident canon of its cathedral chapter, August 27, 1813; canon capitular; archepiscopal counselor; resident canon, 1815; and consistorial assessor, 1815; prelate infulatus and provost of the parish of St. Maurice, October 1827; rural dean and archpriest; metropolitan prelate, 1831.

Episcopate. Elected archbishop of Olomouc by its chapter, November 21, 1836; elected by the pope, May 19, 1837. Consecrated, June 18, 1837, Brno, by Frantisek Gindl, bishop of Brno, Moravia. Privy councilor, 1842. Decorated with the grand cross of the Order of Leopold, 1842. Assistant at the Pontifical Throne, August 17, 1847. Decorated with the grand cross of the Austrian Order of Sankt Stefan, 1849.

Cardinalate. Created cardinal priest in the consistory of September 30, 1850; died before receiving the red hat and title.

Death. March 31, 1853 (1), Olomouc. Exposed in the cathedral of Olomouc and buried, April 8, 1853, in the collegiate church of Kromeriz.

Bibliography. "Cardinali defunti", La Gerarchia Cattolica e la Famiglia Pontificia per l'anno 1876, Roma : Tipografia dei Fratelli Monaldi, 1875, p. 112; Ritzler, Remigium, and Pirminum Sefrin. Hierarchia Catholica Medii et Recentioris Aevi. Volumen VII (1800-1846). Patavii : Typis et Sumptibus Domus Editorialis "Il Messaggero di S. Antonio" apud Basilicam S. Antonii, 1968, p. 291; Ritzler, Remigium, and Pirminum Sefrin. Hierarchia Catholica Medii et Recentioris Aevi. Volumen VIII (1846-1903). Patavii : Typis et Sumptibus Domus Editorialis "Il Messaggero di S. Antonio" apud Basilicam S. Antonii, 1979, pp. 10-11.

Webgraphy. His portrait, arms, monument and biography, in German, Wikipedia; BLKÖ:Somerau-Beeckh, Maximilian Joseph Freiherr von, Biographisches Lexikon des Kaiserthums Öesterreich.

(1) This is according to Ritzler, Hierarchia Catholica Medii et Recentioris Aevi, VIII, 11; "Cardinali defunti", La Gerarchia Cattolica e la Famiglia Pontificia per l'anno 1876, p. 112, says that he died on April 1, 1853.

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(16) 8. GEISSEL, Johannes von
(1796-1864)

Birth. February 5 (1), 1796, Gimmeldingen, parish of Mussbach, diocese of Speyer. Eldest son of Nikolaus Geissel (+1829), a vintner, originally from Lobloch (later absorbed by Gimmeldingen), and María Helena Theresia Motzenbäcker (+1843). His parents lived in Mussbach, which parish belonged to Gimmeldingen.

Education. Initially, he studied at the Latin grammar schools of Neustadt (1809) and Edesheim (1811). Then, he studied at the Imperial Lyceum of Mainz from 1813; and at the Seminary of Mainz from 1815 to 1818. Received the minor orders on December 21, 1816; the subdiaconate on May 31, 1817; and the diaconate on March 7, 1818.

Priesthood. Ordained, August 22, 1818. In the diocese of Speyer, curate at paris of Mussbach, September 15, 1818 to February 1, 1819; professor of religion, Catholic gymnasium, February 1, 1819 until 1836; pastoral assistant of its cathedral, 1819-1827; canon of the cathedral chapter, August 13, 1822; dean, May 25, 1836. He displayed notable literary activity and was an important contributor to the periodical the Katholik.

Episcopate. Elected bishop of Speyer, May 19, 1837. Consecrated, August 13, 1837, Augsburg, by Joseph Maria Johann Nepomuk von Fraunberg, archbishop of Bamberg, assisted by Johann Peter von Richarz, bishop of Augsburg, and by Barnabas Huber, O.S.B., abbot of St.Stephan in Augsburg. Apostolic administrator and coadjutor, with right of succession of Cologne, September 24, 1841. Promoted to the titular see of Iconio, May 23, 1842. Succeeded to the metropolitan see of Cologne, October 19, 1845. Assistant at the Pontifical Throne, December 2, 1845. Chairman of the Fulda Conference of Catholic Bishops (2), 1848.

Cardinalate. Created cardinal priest in the consistory of September 30, 1850; received red hat and title of S. Lorenzo in Panisperna, March 19, 1857.

Death. September 8, 1864, Cologne. Exposed and buried in the metropolitan cathedral of Cologne.

Bibliography. Baudri, Johann Anton Friedrich. Der Erzbischof von Köln : Johannes Cardinal von Geissel und seine Zeit. Köln : J. P. Bachem, 1881; "Cardinali defunti", La Gerarchia Cattolica e la Famiglia Pontificia per l'anno 1876, Roma : Tipografia dei Fratelli Monaldi, 1875, p. 124; Cremer, Christoph Joseph. Johannes von Geissel, Cardinal und Erzbischof von Köln. Verlagsort: Köln, Erscheinungsjahr: 1864; Pfülf, Otto. Cardinal von Geissel : aus seinem handschriftlichen Nachlak geschildert. Freiburg im Breisgau : Herder, 1896; Remling, Franz Xaver. Cardinal von Geissel, Bischöf zu Speyer und Erzbischof zu Kvln im Leben und Wirken : sammt Urkundenbuche. Speyer : F. Kleeberger, 1873; Ritzler, Remigium, and Pirminum Sefrin. Hierarchia Catholica Medii et Recentioris Aevi. Volumen VII (1800-1846). Patavii : Typis et Sumptibus Domus Editorialis "Il Messaggero di S. Antonio" apud Basilicam S. Antonii, 1968, p. 156, 222 and 351; Ritzler, Remigium, and Pirminum Sefrin. Hierarchia Catholica Medii et Recentioris Aevi. Volumen VIII (1846-1903). Patavii : Typis et Sumptibus Domus Editorialis "Il Messaggero di S. Antonio" apud Basilicam S. Antonii, 1979, pp. 11 and 49; Weber, Christoph. Kardinäle und Prälaten in den letzten Jahrzehnten des Kirchenstaates : Elite-Rekrutierung, Karriere-Muster u. soziale Zusammensetzung d. kurialen Führungsschicht zur Zeit Pius' IX. (1846-1878). Stuttgart : Hiersemann, 1978. (Päpste und Papsttum; Bd. 13, I-II), II, 562, 603, 618, 620, 637 and 665.

Webgraphy. Biography by Friedrich Lauchert, in English, The Catholic Encyclopedia; his engraving, portrait and arms, Aralldica Vaticana.

(1) This is according to Ritzler, Hierarchia Catholica Medii et Recentioris Aevi, VII, 351; and his biographies in English and German, linked above; "Cardinali defunti", La Gerarchia Cattolica e la Famiglia Pontificia per l'anno 1876, p. 125; and Weber, Kardinäle und Prälaten in den letzten Jahrzehnten des Kirchenstaates, II, 603, say that he was born on February 4, 1796, which may be a typographical error.
(2) As far as it has been able to ascertain, this was the first organized meeting of Catholic bishops in the world. The bishops met in 1848 in the episcopal city of Fulda at the grave of Saint Bonifatius, the patron saint of Germany, and established the conference. After the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965), the German Catholic bishops created the German Conference of Bishops in 1966.

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(17) 9. MELO, Pedro Paulo de Figuereido da Cunha e
(1770-1855)

Birth. June 19 (or 18), 1770, Taveiro, diocese of Coimbra, Portugal. Son of Jose Antonio de Figueiredo e Sousa (ca.1725) and Dionysia Engracia Isabel da Cunha e Mello Alvelos. Received the sacrament of baptism, June 20, 1770. His brother Luís da Cunha was bishop of Beja (1820-1833).

Education. Studied at the University of Coimbra, Coimbra, earning a doctorate in utroque iuris, both civil and canon law, on June 30, 1793. Received the subdiaconate, July 14, 1805.

Priesthood. Ordained (no information found). Deputy of the Holy Office. Honorary archdeacon of the cathedral chapter of Coimbra, 1806. Canon of the cathedral chapter of Elvas. Lector of canons, regent of the chairs of Natural Law, Public Law and International Law, Canon Law, Homeland Law, and Analytics, 1816. Doctoral canon of Portalegre, August 22, 1822. Elected to the Chamber of Deputies, 1826. Primarius cathedraticus of canon law at the University of Coimbra, August 12, 1834; counselor, 1839. Named administrator of the archdiocese of Braga by the Portuguese civil government before the Holy See had confirmed his election, January 15, 1840.

Episcopate. Elected archbishop of Braga, April 3, 1843. Consecrated, September 10, 1843, in the metropolitan cathedral of Braga, by Jerónimo do Barco, O.F.M.Ref., bishop of Santiago do Cabo Verde.

Cardinalate. Created cardinal priest in the consistory of September 30, 1850; died before receiving the red hat and title.

Death. December 31, 1855 (1), Braga. Exposed and buried in the metropolitan cathedral of Braga.

Bibliography. "Cardinali defunti", La Gerarchia Cattolica e la Famiglia Pontificia per l'anno 1876, Roma : Tipografia dei Fratelli Monaldi, 1875, p. 115; Ritzler, Remigium, and Pirminum Sefrin. Hierarchia Catholica Medii et Recentioris Aevi. Volumen VII (1800-1846). Patavii : Typis et Sumptibus Domus Editorialis "Il Messaggero di S. Antonio" apud Basilicam S. Antonii, 1968, p. 119; Ritzler, Remigium, and Pirminum Sefrin. Hierarchia Catholica Medii et Recentioris Aevi. Volumen VIII (1846-1903). Patavii : Typis et Sumptibus Domus Editorialis "Il Messaggero di S. Antonio" apud Basilicam S. Antonii, 1979, p. 11.

Webgraphy. Brief biography, in Os Cardeais Portugueses, in Portuguese, patriarcado de Lisboa.

(1) This is according to Ritzler, Hierarchia Catholica Medii et Recentioris Aevi, VIII, 11; "Cardinali defunti", La Gerarchia Cattolica e la Famiglia Pontificia per l'anno 1876, p. 115, says that he died in February 1856.

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(18) 10. WISEMAN, Nicholas
(1802-1865)

Birth. August 2 (or 3), 1802, Sevilla, Spain. Son of James Wiseman (ca.1760-1805), a Waterford merchant at the time residing in Seville, and his second wife, Xaviera Strange (+1851), originally from Kilkenny. Although of Irish family, the paternal branch seems to come from England (specifically from Essex County) and his birth in Seville was not accidental, since both the paternal and maternal families had established a commercial house in Spain (in Seville and Cádiz, respectively) long before and, specifically, it was his paternal grandfather who opened it in Seville in the second half of the 18th century. His father in Sevilla was known as Diego (name that as Santiago and Jacobo is the same as Jaime). His baptismal name was Nicholas Patrick Stephen.

Education. First studies in Waterford; Ushaw College, Durham, England from March 1810; Venerable English College, Rome, from December 1818, obtaining a doctorate in theology on July 7, 1824. Received the minor orders a week before Christmas 1824.

Priesthood. Ordained, March 19, 1825, Rome. Named vice-rector of the Venerable English College. He was appointed vice chancellor of the English College in November 1827; although he replaced his predecessor in June 1828, his appointment "in property" only occurred in December of that year; he occupied the post until May 1840. Supernumerary professor of Hebrew and Syro-Chaldaic, La Sapienza University, Rome, 1827.

Episcopate. Elected titular bishop of Milopotamo and appointed coadjutor of the apostolic vicar of the Central District and president of Oscott College, May 22, 1840. Consecrated, June 8, 1840, chapel of the English College, Rome, by Cardinal Giacomo Filippo Fransoni, assisted by Jean Théodore Laurent, titular bishop of Chersoneso and by James Kyle, titular bishop of Germanicia. Granted the privileges of the bishops assistant at the Pontifical Throne, July 14, 1840. Pro-vicar apostolic of the London District, September 2, 1847. Coadjutor, with right of succession, of the vicar apostolic of London, July 28, 1848; succeeded to the vicariate February 18, 1849. Promoted to the metropolitan see of Westminster, September 29, 1850. Apostolic administrator of Southwark, September 29, 1850 to June 27, 1851.

Cardinalate. Created cardinal priest in the consistory of September 30, 1850; received red hat and title of S. Pudenziana, October 3, 1850. He was the first cardinal resident in England since the Reformation and the first archbishop of Westminster.

Death. February 15, 1865, London. Exposed in the metropolitan pro-cathedral of Westminster and buried, temporarily, in Kensal Green Cemetery, London, on February 23, 1865, Monsignor Henry Edward Manning preached the sermon. Transferred to the Crypt Chapel of St Peter of the metropolitan cathedral of Westminster, January 30, 1907.

Bibliography.
-Baxter, Dudley. England's cardinals. With an appendix showing the reception of the sacred pallium by the archbishops of Canterbury and Westminster. London : Burns & Oates ; New York : Benzinger, 1903, pp. 76-79;
-Bellenger, Dominc Aidan and Stella Fletcher. Princes of the church. A history of the English cardinals. Phoenix Mill, Gloucestershire : Sutton Publishing Ltd., 2001, pp. 116-123;
-"Cardinali defunti", La Gerarchia Cattolica e la Famiglia Pontificia per l'anno 1876, Roma : Tipografia dei Fratelli Monaldi, 1875, p. 125;
-Fothergill, Brian. Nicholas Wiseman. London : Faber and Faber, 1963;
-Gwynn, Denis. Cardinal Wiseman. New York : P.J. Kenedy & Sons, 1929;
-Ritzler, Remigium, and Pirminum Sefrin. Hierarchia Catholica Medii et Recentioris Aevi. Volumen VII (1800-1846). Patavii : Typis et Sumptibus Domus Editorialis "Il Messaggero di S. Antonio" apud Basilicam S. Antonii, 1968, p. 261;
-Ritzler, Remigium, and Pirminum Sefrin. Hierarchia Catholica Medii et Recentioris Aevi. Volumen VIII (1846-1903). Patavii : Typis et Sumptibus Domus Editorialis "Il Messaggero di S. Antonio" apud Basilicam S. Antonii, 1979, pp. 11, 52 and 597;
-Walsh, Michael J. The Westminster cardinals : the past and the future. London ; New York : Burns & Oates, 2008, p. 11-34;
-Ward, Wilfrid Philip. The life and times of Cardinal Wiseman. London : Longmans, Green & Co., 1898;
-Wiseman, Nicholas. Four Lectures on the Offices and Ceremonies of Holy Week, as Performed in the Papal Chapels. Delivered in Rome, in the Lent of MDCCCXXIX. London : Charles Dolman, 1839;
-Wiseman, Nicholas. The real presence of the Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Blessed Eucharist : proved from Scripture in eight lectures delivered in the English College, Rome. London : Burns Oates & Washbourne, 1942;
-Wiseman, Nicholas. The Religious and social position of Catholics in England : an address delivered to the Catholic congress of Malines, August 21, 1863. Dublin : J. Duffy, 1864;
-Wiseman, Nicholas. Twelve lectures on the connexion between science and revealed religion. Delivered in Rome. 2 v. 1st American ed. New York : P. O'Shea, 1872.

Webgraphy. Biography by Oswald Hunter-Blair, in English, The Catholic Encyclopedia; biography, in English, Encyclopaedia Britannica; portrait and biography, in English, archdiocese of Westminster; biography, in English, New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, Vol. XII, 388-389; his portrait while he was rector of the Venerable English College, Rome; his photograph, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.; three of his portraits and a photograph, National Portrait Gallery, London; his photograph in 1861, Newman Reader, The National Institute for Newman Studies; Blessed Pius IX: restoration of the Catholic hierarchy in England, interview with Father Norman Tanner, S.J., professor of Church History, Vatican Radio, 2015-02-07; Edward Pugin's Tomb of Cardinal Wiseman by Roderick O'Donnell, New Liturgical Movement, Wednesday, November 25, 2015.

pecci4.jpg

(19) 11. PECCI, Giuseppe
(1776-1855)

Birth. April 13, 1776, Gubbio. Son of Count Luigi Pecci, gonfaloniere of justice of Gubbio, and Countess Anna Carbonana. Received the sacrament of confirmation, May 22, 1785. He was not related to the other two Cardinals Pecci of the 19th century: Gioacchino Pecci (1853), future Pope Leo XIII; and Giuseppe Pecci, S.J. (1879). Nevertheless, it seems that both families descended from a common branch originally from Siena.

Education. Studied at the Seminary of Gubbio; and at the University of Perugia where he earned doctorates in philosophy and theology on May 8, 1800.

Priesthood. Ordained, March 23, 1799. In the diocese of Gubbio, canon coadjutor; synodal examiner and pro-vicar general; provost of the cathedral chapter, 1820; vicar general, 1821. His appointment as administrator of Gubbio was due to the fact that the incumbent bishop, Vincenzo Massi (1781-1841), was appointed nuncio in Turin, with the title of bishop of Tessalonica, but maintaining the administration of Gubbio. When Bishop Massi died, he succeeded as Bishop of Gubbio.

Episcopate. Elected titular bishop of Cesaropoli and administrator of Gubbio, November 22, 1839. Consecrated, December 8, 1839, in the church of S. Silvestro in Capite, Rome, by Cardinal Costantino Patrizzi, assisted by Fabio Asquini, titular archbishop of Tarso, and by Vincenzo Massi, titular archbishop of Tessalonica. Transferred to the see of Gubbio, March 1, 1841. Assistant at the Pontifical Throne, March 30, 1841.

Cardinalate. Created cardinal priest in the consistory of September 30, 1850; received red hat and title of S. Balbina, October 3, 1850.

Death. January 21 (1), 1855, Gubbio. Exposed and buried in the cathedral of Gubbio (2).

Bibliography. "Cardinali defunti", La Gerarchia Cattolica e la Famiglia Pontificia per l'anno 1876, Roma : Tipografia dei Fratelli Monaldi, 1875, p. 114; Ritzler, Remigium, and Pirminum Sefrin. Hierarchia Catholica Medii et Recentioris Aevi. Volumen VII (1800-1846). Patavii : Typis et Sumptibus Domus Editorialis "Il Messaggero di S. Antonio" apud Basilicam S. Antonii, 1968, pp. and 189; Ritzler, Remigium, and Pirminum Sefrin. Hierarchia Catholica Medii et Recentioris Aevi. Volumen VIII (1846-1903). Patavii : Typis et Sumptibus Domus Editorialis "Il Messaggero di S. Antonio" apud Basilicam S. Antonii, 1979, pp. 11 and 46; Weber, Christoph. Kardinäle und Prälaten in den letzten Jahrzehnten des Kirchenstaates : Elite-Rekrutierung, Karriere-Muster u. soziale Zusammensetzung d. kurialen Führungsschicht zur Zeit Pius' IX. (1846-1878). Stuttgart : Hiersemann, 1978. (Päpste und Papsttum; Bd. 13, I-II), II, 503.

(1) This is according to Ritzler, Hierarchia Catholica Medii et Recentioris Aevi, VII, 189; and VIII, 11 and 46; and Weber, Kardinäle und Prälaten in den letzten Jahrzehnten des Kirchenstaates, II, 503; "Cardinali defunti", La Gerarchia Cattolica e la Famiglia Pontificia per l'anno 1876, p. 114, says that he died on January 12, 1855.
(2) This is the text of the inscription on his funeral monument, kindly provided by Mr. Eman Bonnici, from Malta:

JOSEPHI. S.R.E.TIT.BALBINAE.PRESB.CARD. PECCI
PRAECLARO.VIRTVTVM.DOCTRINAEQ.NOMINE
EPISC.AC.PATR:EVGVBINI
EXVVIIS.INCORRVPTIS.HEIC.INVISENDIS.FVNERIBVS.RITE.INSTAVRANDIS
HODIEQ.XXII.JAN.MCMXI.SEPVLCRO.EXORNANDO.AUSPICANDO
PROCERUM.POPVLIQ.PIETAS.COLLATA.INSVPER.STIPE.ADSTITIT.
OPTIMI.PATRIS.TESTATAVUNIVERSIS.XI.VLTRA.AB.OBITV.LUSTRA.
NEC.ABSCESSISSE.IMAGINEM
AUSPICIAS PRAESVL.E.SVPERIS.TVOS.
QVI.TE.TVAQVE.E.MARMORE.RECOLVNT.EXIMIA.

JO.BAPT.NASALLI.ROCCA.EP.EVG.

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(20) 12. DIEPENBROCK, Melchior von
(1798-1853)

Birth. January 6 (1), 1798, Bocholt, diocese of Münster, Westphalia. Son of Theodor Johann Anton Diepenbrock (1761-1837), advisor to the principality of Salm and burgomaster of Bocholt, and Maria Katharina Franziska Kesting (1763-1823). Baptized, January, 9, 1798, with the names Melchior Ferdinand Joseph; confirmed, January 29, 1821, Münster; his sponsor was Christian Brentano. He spent his childhood in the paternal property of Horst, in Holtwick, near Bocholt.

Education. Attended the Military Academy, Bonn, 1810-1811; then, the University of Landshut, Bavaria (public finance); the Seminary of Wikinghege, near Münster; the Seminary of Mainz; and the Seminary of Regensburg (Ratisbon) (theology); received the diaconate, December 26, 1823.

Early life. Unsalaried employee in the Prussian army, 1814-1817; took part in the campaign against France in 1815 as an officer of the militia; second lieutenant, 1817; left the Prussian army, November 7, 1818.

Priesthood. Ordained, December 27, 1823, Regensburg, by Johann Michael Sailer, titular bishop of Germanicopoli and coadjutor of Regensburg. In the diocese of Regensburg, chaplain of the Carmelite convent, January 6, 1824 to 1832; secretary of Bishop Sailer, 1824-1832; canon of the chapter of its cathedral, 1830-1835; dean of the chapter, 1835-1845; vicar general of the diocese, 1842 to 1844, when he resigned. The Bavarian crown granted him the title of baron.

Episcopate. Elected bishop of Breslau by its chapter, January 15, 1845; at first declined the nomination, but finally accepted out of obedience to Pope Gregory XVI, who preconized him on April 21, 1845. Consecrated, June 8, 1845, metropolitan cathedral of Salzburg, by Cardinal Friedrich Johannes Jacob Celestin von Schwarzenberg, archbishop of Salzburg, assisted by Gregor Thomas Ziegler, bishop of Linz, and by Ludwig Hoffmann, titular bishop of Dulma. Representative to the Frankfurt parliament, 1848. Apostolic delegate for the Prussian army, 1849-1853. Member of the Frankfurt national assembly, 1850.

Cardinalate. Created cardinal priest in the consistory of September 30, 1850; died before receiving the red hat and title.

Death. January 20, 1853, of intestinal cancer, Castle of Johannesberg, Breslau. Exposed and buried in the cathedral of Breslau.

Bibliography. Stasiewski, Bernhard. ""Diepenbrock, Melchior Freiherr von." Die Bischöfe der deutschsprachigen Länder, 1785/1803 bis 1945 : ein biographisches Lexikon. Herausgegeben von Erwin Gatz. Berlin : Duncker & Humblot, 1983, pp. 126-130; Bröker, Elisabeth. Melchior von Diepenbrock, Fürstbischof von Breslau : Gedenkschrift anlässlich der 100. Wiederkehr seiner Todestages. Bocholt, Germany : s.n., 1953. Contents: Familie, Eltern und Geschwister / von M.G. Bäseler -- Johann Michael Sailer und Melchior von Diepenbrock / von H. Schiel -- Der Fürstbischof Kardinal Melchior von Diepenbrock und die Dienerin Gottes Anna Katharina Emmerich / von P. Neyer -- Von Sailers Tod bis zur Berufung nach Breslau / von J. Lehner -- Melchior von Diepenbrock als Dichter, Uberssetzer und Schriftsteller / von E. Reinhard -- Kardinal Fürstbischof Melchior von Diepenbrock und Annette von Droste-Hülschoff / von K. Schulte -- A te missus ibo : der "Mann des Papste" für Schlesien / von A. Perlick -- Der Heimat in Treue verbunden / von E. Bröker -- Der Heimgang des Kardinals / von H. Förster -- Melchior von Diepenbrocks Persönlichkeit / von J. Russwurm -- Dichtergrüsse an Melchior von Diepenbrock / von P. Neyer; "Cardinali defunti", La Gerarchia Cattolica e la Famiglia Pontificia per l'anno 1876, Roma : Tipografia dei Fratelli Monaldi, 1875, p.112; Förster, Heinrich. Cardinal und Fürstbischof Melchoir von Diepenbrock; ein Lebensbild. Regensburg : Georg Joseph Manz, 1878; Ritzler, Remigium, and Pirminum Sefrin. Hierarchia Catholica Medii et Recentioris Aevi. Volumen VII (1800-1846). Patavii : Typis et Sumptibus Domus Editorialis "Il Messaggero di S. Antonio" apud Basilicam S. Antonii, 1968, p. 400; Ritzler, Remigium, and Pirminum Sefrin. Hierarchia Catholica Medii et Recentioris Aevi. Volumen VIII (1846-1903). Patavii : Typis et Sumptibus Domus Editorialis "Il Messaggero di S. Antonio" apud Basilicam S. Antonii, 1979, p. 11; Strobl, Wilhelm. Kardinal Melchior Freiherr v. Diepenbrock, Fürstbischof von Breslau und der fürstlich Thurn und Taxissche Rat und Prinzenerzieher Joseph Strobl. Nürnberg : Kommissionsverlag Die Egge, 1953.

Webgraphy. Biographyby Boniface Luebbermann, in English, The Catholic Encyclopedia; biography, in English, Encyclopedia of 1848 Revolutions, James Chastain; his portrait and biographical data, in Czech, Václav Petera: Géniové církve a vlasti; his portrait; and chronicle of his life, in German.

(1) This is according to all the German printed sources listed in the bibliographic section as well as the electronic one linked above; "Cardinali defunti", La Gerarchia Cattolica e la Famiglia Pontificia per l'anno 1876, p. 112; and Ritzler, Hierarchia Catholica Medii et Recentioris Aevi, VII, 400, say that he was born on January 9, 1798.

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(21) 13. ROBERTI, Roberto
(1788-1867)

Birth. December 23, 1788, Monte San Giusto, archdiocese of Fermo. Of an ancient noble family. Son of Count Giovanni Roberti.

Education. (No information found).

Sacred orders. (No information found). He was never ordained a priest. Secretary of Giuseppe Bofondi, auditor of the Sacred Roman Rota and future cardinal. Aiutante di studio of Zacchia, auditor of the Sacred Roman Rota, 1829. Counselor at Secondo Turno of the civil congregation of the Apostolic Chamber, 1832-1837. Prelate referendary, November 6, 1837. Voter of the Tribunal of the Apostolic Signature of Grace, 1838. Lieutenant and vice-president of the Secondo Turno of the civil tribunal of the Apostolic Chamber, 1839-1841. Lieutenant and vice-president of the criminal tribunal of the Apostolic Chamber, 1842. Apostolic delegate in Perugia, 1843-1844. Under secretary of State for Internal Affairs, February 11, 1845. Protonotary apostolic participantium, 1845. Auditor general of the Apostolic Chamber, 1845-1849. Substitute pf the secretariat for the internal affairs of the State, 1845-1846. Minister of Grace and Justice, 1847 to March 10, 1848. Member of the Governmental Commission under Cardinal Castruccio Castracane degli Antelminelli, December 1848 to January 1849. Pro-president of Rome and its district, 1849-1850.

Cardinalate. Created cardinal deacon in the consistory of September 30, 1850; received the red hat and the deaconry of S. Maria in Domnica, October 3, 1850. President of Rome and its region, 1855-1860. Secretary of Petitions and Memorials, December 17, 1859. Opted for the deaconry of S. Maria ad Martyres, March 16, 1863. He and Cardinal Giacomo Antonelli were the first cardinals who traveled by train.

Death. November 7 (1), 1867. Exposed in the church of S. Maria in Vallicella, Rome; the funeral took place on November 10, 1867 with the participation of Pope Pius IX, and buried, according to his will, in the church of Ss. Giovanni e Paolo, Rome (2).

Bibliography. "Cardinali defunti", La Gerarchia Cattolica e la Famiglia Pontificia per l'anno 1876, Roma : Tipografia dei Fratelli Monaldi, 1875, p. 128-129; Marino, Giorgio. "Il primo cardinali che viaggiò in treno." Rivista Araldica, LXII (September 1964), pp. 284-287; Ritzler, Remigium, and Pirminum Sefrin. Hierarchia Catholica Medii et Recentioris Aevi. Volumen VIII (1846-1903). Patavii : Typis et Sumptibus Domus Editorialis "Il Messaggero di S. Antonio" apud Basilicam S. Antonii, 1979, pp. 11, 54 and 55; Weber, Christoph. Kardinäle und Prälaten in den letzten Jahrzehnten des Kirchenstaates : Elite-Rekrutierung, Karriere-Muster u. soziale Zusammensetzung d. kurialen Führungsschicht zur Zeit Pius' IX. (1846-1878). Stuttgart : Hiersemann, 1978. (Päpste und Papsttum; Bd. 13, I-II), II, 513, 537, 545, 566, 612, 614, 617, 619, 639 and 640.

Webgraphy. Biography, in French, Wikipédia; his photograph, arms and engraving, Araldica Vaticana; his tomb in the church of Ss. Giovanni e Paolo, Rome, The Australian National University.

(1) This is according to Ritzler, Hierarchia Catholica Medii et Recentioris Aevi, VIII, 11, same page note 60, and 55; "Cardinali defunti", La Gerarchia Cattolica e la Famiglia Pontificia per l'anno 1876, p. 129; and Weber, Kardinäle und Prälaten in den letzten Jahrzehnten des Kirchenstaates, II, 513, say that he died on November 6, 1867.
(2) This is the text of the inscription on his funeral monument taken from Marino, "Il primo cardinali che viaggiò in treno." Rivista Araldica, LXII, p. 287: HEIC. IN. PACE. QUIESCIT. ROBERTUS JOANNIS P. ROBERTIUS. DOMO MONTE. S. IUSTI. IN. PICENO. CARDINALIS. SCIENTIA. IURIS. PONTIFICII. ET CIVILIS. PRUDENTIA. IN. REBUS. GERENDIS. PRAESTITIT. DECESS. VII. IDUS. NOV. A. MDCCCLXVII. A. N. P. M. LXXVIII. PAULUS. FRATER. COMES. CUM JOANNE. FILIO. POSUIT. VIRO AMPLISSIMO. DECORI. DOMUS. ET PATRIAE. During the restoration of the church in 1963, the casket was taken out of the crypt and placed on a cataletto of iron with the inscription LOCUS CARDINALIS ROBERTI.

gomez.jpg

GÓMEZ DE PORTUGAL Y SOLÍS, Juan Cayetano José María
(1783-1850)

Birth. July 7, 1783, San Pedro Piedra Gorda, Guanajuato, México; in a house situated at the corner of Portugal y Obregón streets. His parents were José Pascual Gómez de Portugal y Franco de Paredes and Francisca de Solís.

Education. At a very young age, he was sent to the Seminary of San José, Guadalajara, to study; obtained a doctorate in theology.

Priesthood. Ordained (no further information found). Pastoral work in the diocese of Michoacán. He was a decided supporter of México's independence and for many years dedicated his talent and activities to the service of his country; he was deputy for Guanajuato to the Congreso de la Unión; senator for the sate of Jalisco; and later, when he was already a bishop, minister of Justice and Ecclesiastical Affairs during the government of Antonio López de Santa Anna.

Episcopate. Elected titular bishop of Claudiopoli and appointed apostolic vicar of the diocese of Michoacán (now Morelia), October 19, 1830. Transferred to the see of Michoacán, February 28, 1831. Consecrated, August 21, 1831, church of La Professa, México, by Francisco Pablo Vasquez, bishop of Puebla de los Ángeles. Took possession of the see by proxy on September 29, 1831.

Cardinalate. Pope Pius IX intended to name him a cardinal. In a letter written by Cardinal Giacomo Antonelli, secretary of State, the pope expressed his plan to the bishop. Unfortunately, he died on April 4, 1850, before the letter was received in Morelia. He would have been the first Latin American cardinal.

Death. April 4, 1850, early in the morning, in Michoacán (Morelia). Buried in the cathedral of Michoacán, in front of the altar of the Santos Reyes.

Bibliography. Algunas observaciones sobre la contestación del exmo. sr. ministro de justicia, Dr. D. Andrés López Nava, a la protesta del illmo. sr. obispo de Michoacán. México : Imprenta del Católico dirigida por Mariano Arévalo, 1847; Bravo Ugarte, José. Diócesis y obispos de la Iglesia Mexicana (1519-1965). Con un apéndice de los representantes de la S. Sede en México y viceversa. México : Editorial Jus, 1965 (Colección México heroico, 39). p. 72; Calderón, Cipriano. "El Papel de América Latina en la Nueva Evangelización Rumbo al Tercer Milenio" in Nueva Evangelización Rumbo al Tercer Milenio. V Congreso Internacional de la Reconciliación. Lima: Vida y Espiritualidad, 1996, p. 84; Conducta del reverendo obispo de Michoacan don J. Cayetano Portugal con motivo del destierro que impuso el gobierno de aquel Estado a varios eclesiásticos desafectos al sistema federal. Añádense algunas reflecsiones y varios documentos interesantes. Colección de artí́culos editoriales publicados en el Fénix de la libertad.. México, Impreso por Ignacio Cumplido, 1833; Guzmán Pérez, Moisés. Las relaciones clero-gobierno en Michoacán : la gestión episcopal de Juan Cayetano Gómez de Portugal y Solí, 1831-1850. México, D.F. : LIX Legislatura, Cámara de Diputados, H. Congreso de la Unión, 2005; Ritzler, Remigium, and Pirminum Sefrin. Hierarchia Catholica Medii et Recentioris Aevi. Volumen VII (1800-1846). Patavii : Typis et Sumptibus Domus Editorialis "Il Messaggero di S. Antonio" apud Basilicam S. Antonii, 1968, pp. 153 and 259.

Webgraphy. His engraving and biography, in Spanish, Wikipedia; his engraving and biography, in English, revolvy.com; biographical data, in English, catholic-hierarchy.org; Honras fúnebres del Ilmo. D. Juan Cayetano Portugal, Dignísimo Obispo de Michoacán, verificadas en esta Santa Iglesia Catedral en los días 11 y 12 de noviembre del año de 1850. Morelia, Mich. : Tip. de I. Arango, 1851, Biblioteca Digital de la Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León.

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