To Pope Leo XIII

E VII, 3551

He summarises some of the harassment perpetrated by the archbishop against the Salesian congregation — refuting some unfounded complaints — stating that, instead of being helped, the Salesians are hindered in doing good — they are always doctrinally on the side of the Pope — while he is writing, a new summons arrives for Fr Bonetti from Archbishop Gastaldi regarding a matter now in the hands of the Holy See — the bishop of Turin is the only one among a thousand bishops who is hostile to the Salesians — he asks for the Pope’s support.

Turin, 22 December 1881

Holy Father,

In deference to the Most Eminent Cardinals of the Sacred Congregation of the Council, and in order to clarify and respond to the complaints that Archbishop Lorenzo Gastaldi, Archbishop of Turin, has brought to the attention of the aforementioned authoritative Congregation against the writer and the Pious Society of St Francis de Sales, I feel obliged to make a brief statement regarding certain serious disturbances that have seriously hindered the little good that the poor Salesians are striving to accomplish in Europe and in the missions of America.

I am sending a copy to you, Holy Father, who are the Supreme Moderator of the Salesian Congregation, so that you may be aware of our situation. But if the problems of the past were serious, those of the present are no less so.

Nowadays, attempts are being made to induce our Congregation to embrace philosophical doctrines that are not at all pleasing to Your Holiness, because they are erroneous or dangerous. We have resisted thus far and will continue to resist at the cost of any sacrifice and tribulation; but I confess that I need appropriate advice in order to give my religious certain instructions, so that in all our Colleges, Studentates and Seminaries in Piedmont, Italy, France, Spain and America, we may follow purely Catholic principles, with enlightened obedience to the Supreme Hierarch of the Church.

While in the past decade we have been subjected to considerable harassment and annoyance, which have often distracted us from the duties of the Holy Ministry and caused us to lose an immense amount of time that we would have liked to spend solely for the glory of God and the good of souls, these harassments and annoyances show no sign of abating at present. Poor me!

As I write this letter, and while the Sacred Congregation of the Council is considering the matter between the Archbishop of Turin and Salesian priest Giovanni Bonetti, I have received a summons requiring my priest to appear before the archiepiscopal fiscal lawyer to respond to the dispute in question, threatening him with ecclesiastical penalties if he does not appear before the person who has set himself up as judge in his own case, and in a matter referred to the supreme court of the Holy See! So, contrary to common expectations, the disturbances and loss of precious time continue, and our situation threatens to become even more intolerable.

The enemies of religion struggle with a satanic desire to steal faith and morality from adults and children alike, causing damage and ruin. The Salesians see their work increasing every day as they strive with some success to combat the evil that is breaking out. We therefore need to be left in peace, to be helped, or at least not to be hindered in doing good, according to the purpose of our Congregation; otherwise, we cannot go on. For this reason, Holy Father, I humbly but earnestly implore Your enlightened counsel and Your most valuable support. Speak, and we will listen to You.

Not only will we abide by Your commands, but also by Your wishes; not only will we follow You as Universal Doctor, but also as Private Doctor; we will be devoted to Your august Person, not only we Salesians, but we will strive to inspire, nourish and the eighty thousand and more young people whom Divine Providence has gathered today in our houses in Europe and America to grow in the same sentiments. We will be, in a word, most obedient to your Apostolic Chair in everything, at all times and in all places, wherever the Lord may call us.

But so that we may freely perform this sacred duty; so that we may work diligently and according to the needs of these most sorrowful times; so that the humble undersigned may govern his subjects as is necessary, we beseech you! Holy Father, see that a word of wisdom is heard by He who, alone among the thousand members of the Catholic Episcopate, seems to be leading this poor Congregation astray from the right path, placing one sticking point after another in the Mother House and centre of all the others, so that it cannot proceed with the necessary speed and comes to a standstill.

I have full confidence that You, Holy Father, will accept this humble supplication with paternal kindness, which I raise to Your exalted throne in my own name and the name of all the Salesians, and that You will come to the aid of so many of Your most devoted sons.

I am delighted to take this opportunity during the Christmas season to wish Your Holiness every happiness, assuring you that every day in Salesian houses special prayers are offered and fervent vows are made to God that he may grant you all that Your magnanimous heart desires.

Finally, prostrate in spirit to kiss the sacred foot, I humbly implore the Apostolic blessing upon my unworthy person, upon the entire Salesian Congregation, upon all our young people, upon our Missionaries who in these days are setting sail across the Atlantic towards Patagonia, while my soul rejoices in being able to profess with the utmost veneration that I am

Your Holiness’

Most humble, obliged and obedient son,

Fr John Bosco