To Pope Pius IX
E I, 363
He expresses gratitude for the audiences granted in Rome and for the spiritual favours obtained – He is concerned about the situation of the diocese given the continuing absence of the archbishop – Minister Cavour’s proposal is not easy to accept. He expresses a negative opinion regarding the possible promotion of a priest to the episcopacy.
Turin, 14 June 1858
Most Holy Father,
With my heart filled with the deepest gratitude towards Your Holiness, I returned to my boys to tell them what I had heard and seen in the Eternal City, especially matters concerning Your Holiness.
The spiritual favours you have so kindly granted me have already had a positive effect: more than thirty districts, inspired by the indulgences granted for the singing of hymns, have set about celebrating the month of May in honour of the great Mother of God.
It is also a great comfort to me to be able to recount the true nature of Rome, and thus satisfy the indiscreet insinuations of certain individuals who, whether out of malice or ignorance, always seek to misrepresent the things most worthy of veneration.
However, one thing left me with deep regret after my departure from Rome, and that was not having had time to introduce myself to Your Holiness when you deigned to admit me to an audience with you. I think the topic would have been about our archbishop.
In any case, I continue to commend the deplorable state of this diocese to Your Holiness’ paternal kindness. I say to you what the faithful of Lyon once said to Saint Eleutherius, your worthy predecessor: ‘Most Holy Father, give peace to our church and provide for our needs.’
We are not living in times of open and bloody persecution, but evil is spreading silently yet terribly. The good, whose number, thank God, is still very large, groan and do not know what to do; the wicked become bolder every day; the weak swell the ranks of those led astray every day. If, to make matters worse, heresy were to rise legally to power, I would fear terrible collapses even on the part of those who hold high ecclesiastical offices in this diocese. I speak in the Lord: Your Holiness, forgive me.
I do not know whether the idea expressed by Mr Cavour1 may seem acceptable to you. If it were a matter of establishing a principle, I would have no confidence in it, but since it is a specific case, some result may be hoped for, especially since he still seems to have the same wishes.
In any case, to avoid problems that would certainly be difficult to remedy, you must provide in some way for the needs of the diocese of Turin. I am speaking in the Lord.
Rumours are circulating and newspapers are reporting that Father Genta, parish priest of San Francesco di Paola in this capital city, is to be proposed for the bishopric of Asti. For Your Holiness’ information, I note that he is very loyal to the government. A short time ago, he received the cross of Saints Maurice and Lazarus for his enlightened zeal: words from the decree. He is a follower of Gioberti and shows signs of approving civil marriage.
May Your Holiness deign to give kind consideration to the words of a son who speaks prostrate at Your Holiness’ feet and who loves you more than himself.
As I implore the apostolic blessing upon myself and my poor boys, I assure you that we will always pray to the Lord God to preserve you for a long time for the good of the Church, and I have firm hope that, with God’s help, I will be able to devote all my strength to the good of the Church until my last breath.
I am Your Holiness’
Most obliged and humble son of the Holy Church
Fr John Bosco
1This was Marquis Gustavo di Cavour (brother of Count Camillo, President of the Council), who had written to him while he was in Rome, asking him to use his influence with the Holy See to promote the Archbishop of Turin, Archbishop Fransoni, who had been exiled to Lyon, to the rank of cardinal, and to appoint a coadjutor bishop with the right of succession.
