Arnaldi, Giovanni Battista

ARNALDI, GIOVAN BATTISTA. - Born at Castellaro, in the diocese of Ventimiglia, on 8 Jan. 1806, died at Spoleto on 28 Feb. 1867. In 1829 A. dedicated a Conclusione to Pius VIII. Gregory XVI made A. a secret chaplain, apostolic protonotary and votant of the signature of justice, as well as abbreviator of the major park and canon coadjutor of the Liberian basilica. By Pius IX A. was made on 18 March 1852 bishop in partibus of Auria and deputy administrator of Terni, and a year later, in the Consistory of 7 March 1853, he was preconized archbishop of Spoleto. After 1860 A. distinguished himself by his proud conduct in the face of the new state authorities. Already in Nov. 1860 he had lamented the offenses and the war waged against the Church in Umbria, grieving especially over the anticatholic propaganda. In 1863 A., together with the future pope Leo XIII, then bishop of Perugia, protested violently against the decree of the exequatur. Moreover, having addressed to his faithful, during Lent, a pastoral letter in which he attacked the policy of the new government, A. was confined in the fortress of Spoleto. Once freed, he persisted in his attitude and in 1866 protested once again to Ricasoli against the measures taken with regard to the clergy during the war with Austria.

Silvio Furlani