To the Minister of Justice and Religious Affairs, Paolo Onorato Vigliani

E IV, 1855

After the formation of the new ministry, he resumed the procedures for the bishops’ temporalities – reconstructing the steps taken and the partial agreements obtained regarding the modus vivendi most in line with government guidelines – giving the reasons for this – and declaring himself available to intervene again without running the risk of inappropriate publicity.

Turin, 12 October 1873

Your Excellency,

The great trust that Your Excellency enjoys publicly is what prompts me to speak to you about a matter that reflects well on Religion and also on the State. I will explain briefly.

In March of this year, I had the honour of speaking with Minister Lanza and, on an unofficial basis, discussing the dispute over the bishops’ temporalities.

He presented me with three modus vivendi proposed by the Council of State. One was chosen that seemed to come closest to the limits desired by both parties. After making some changes that are more cosmetic than substantial, the information provided on the separate sheet marked with the letter A would be accepted.

The discussions that were to take place in the Chamber of Deputies at that time advised postponing the implementation of that proposal until the end of that parliamentary session. Except that the change of ministry caused great confusion.

Around mid-July, I reported these matters to His Excellency Minghetti, who kindly acknowledged receipt of my letter on the 16th of the same month, adding that he would give me a definitive answer as soon as possible. The gravity and multitude of public affairs in which he was involved would certainly have delayed or perhaps caused him to forget the matter in question.

For this reason, I have taken the liberty of addressing Your Excellency, as you are the Minister responsible for such matters.

On that occasion, however, only the modus vivendi to be applied to bishops-elect was discussed, while for those already appointed, another modus vivendi was proposed, marked on the sheet with the letter B. At the time, no consideration was given to this matter, which was reserved for a more appropriate moment.

As a priest, I love religion; as a citizen, I wish to do everything I can for the government, and taking sides here, it seems to me that the modus vivendi B is more consistent with the government's views than any other; for with it, the government:

1. Is directly linked to the Holy See;

2. The Holy See would respond officially to the government;

3. The government, having been informed of the bishops’ recommendations, could freely make exceptions, where appropriate, before granting the temporalities.

4. Indeed, admitting this principle, it seems to me that the government would have a true exequatur, since it could grant or refuse temporalities, and even impose conditions when it deemed it appropriate.

I thought it best to share these practical considerations so that the matter may be easily understood in its true light.

Should any changes need to be made in the practical implementation of the above, I believe that the Holy See would be willing to accommodate them. For example, where it says: Asking Bishop..., etc.; this request, if desired, could also be made verbally by a person in charge; it could also be addressed to the Holy Father or to his first secretary.

Since I am completely uninvolved in politics and public affairs, if Your Excellency should deem it useful to make use of my humble services in any way, there would be no fear of inappropriate publicity.

Having said this, I must fulfil a grave duty, asking for your kind understanding for the perhaps excessive confidence with which I have written; and happy to be able to wish you every heavenly blessing, with the utmost esteem, I consider it a great honour to profess myself

Your Excellency’s

Fr John Bosco