To the Vicar General of Cremona, Luigi Tosi

E III, 1379

In favour of the rehabilitation of a priest

Turin, 26 November 1869

Very Reverend Msgr Vicar Gen.,

Divine Providence, which sometimes allows even the luminaries of the sanctuary to suffer serious and humiliating falls, led Fr Carlo Morandi to this house of public charity.

Fully aware of the abyss into which he had fallen, he devoted himself to a life of seclusion, applying himself to piety and the fulfilment of his priestly duties, going to confession and communion regularly. As far as the internal forum is concerned, everything has been fixed.

Now it would be a matter of rehabilitating him with a celebret duly issued by his Ordinary, and this is what I am requesting on his behalf. He is prepared to make a public retraction in the words and in the manner that you deem appropriate. It seems to me that after seven months of good conduct he can be rehabilitated, provided that Your Excellency, in your wisdom, judges that this would be to the greater glory of God.

Please forgive me for disturbing you, and with my best wishes for every heavenly blessing, I have the honour of professing that I am

Your Excellency’s

most obliged servant,

Fr John Bosco

P. S. The cleric Barnesi was welcomed among us, and in due course I will give you news of his whereabouts.