To Engineer Giovanni Prina Carpani of the Evangelical Church

E I, 265

Preliminary agreements for a meeting aimed at seeking the truth of the faith

Turin, 19 April 1856

Dear Sir,

I regret not having been at home on the two occasions when Your Lordship was kind enough to visit my residence; my many commitments often require me to be elsewhere unless I have given prior notice that I will be absent.

I am willing to do anything that may be useful to my neighbour, and I am very happy to welcome you and your friends to a friendly discussion. But first, I must ask you to explain to me some points that I consider essential between two Christian friends who wish to discuss religion.

1. State whether the purpose of you and your friends is to debate or discuss in order to discover the truth and follow it despite any obstacles. Disagreement alone does not produce any moral advantage if it is disconnected from this desire to know and follow the truth. In this case, it is necessary to pray with a humble heart that God may grant us his enlightenment and make things known to us as he will one day make them known when we appear before the judgement seat of Jesus Christ.

2. Whether you intend to use only the Bible or also tradition, and in the former case, which Bible you would prefer to use: Greek, Hebrew, Latin, Italian, or French.

3. If, during our discussion, a disagreement arises on which we cannot agree, to whom shall we turn to judge our dispute?

When Your Lordship has kindly given me your reply, I will choose a time that is convenient for you, when I am least likely to be disturbed by domestic duties, and we can talk freely with you and any of your friends who wish to be present.

In the meantime, please accept my friendship, whatever it may be, and rest assured that I love you with all my heart in J. C. I pray that you may obtain enlightenment for all to know the truth, courage and grace to follow it, and thus form one flock on earth to enjoy it eternally in Heaven.

With the utmost respect, believe me in what I can do,

Your most devoted servant in J. C.

Fr John Bosco