BARBARIGO, MARCO ANTONIO. — Cardinal, Archbishop of Corfu from 1678 to 1685, Bishop of Montefiascone and Corneto (Tarquinia) from 1687 to 1706. Born in Venice to Agostino and Chiara Barbarigo on March 6, 1640, and died in Montefiascone on May 26, 1706. At the age of 25, he entered the Major Council; but his inclination toward a more perfect life led him in 1671 to enter the priesthood. The Blessed Gregorio Barbarigo, a distant relative of his, called him to himself, appointed him canon of the cathedral of Padua, and under his guidance he became a zealous and charitable priest. In 1676 he accompanied the Blessed Gregorio to the Conclave and remained with him, at the wish of Innocent XI, for more than a year in Rome. When the see of Corfu became vacant, he was elected to it and took possession on September 24, 1678.
The tranquil and fruitful government of M. A. B. was interrupted in 1685 by a serious incident provoked by Francesco Morosini, Captain General of the Venetian fleet; the Republic condemned the archbishop, sequestered his goods, and forced him to take refuge in Rome. Once the matter was clarified, Innocent XI appointed M. A. B. cardinal (September 2, 1686) and then bishop of the united sees of Montefiascone and Corneto (Tarquinia), of which he took possession on October 20, 1687. His gifts for governance earned him a reputation as another Charles Borromeo, which endures especially through two grand works. The first is the celebrated “Barbarigo” seminary, in which he promoted good studies, endowing it generously and enriching it with a magnificent library. The second was the founding of the Institute of the Pious Schools and Mistresses for the girls of the people, who for the most part grew up without instruction or true Christian education. For this purpose he employed the Venerable Rosa Venerini, foundress of the Pious Mistresses of Viterbo, who opened about ten schools in the principal centers of the diocese and trained a good number of teachers, among them St. Lucia Filippini (v.), who later, at the direct suggestion of Venerini, became superior of the Institute of Montefiascone. The indefatigable bishop earned the special praise of Clement XI and his contemporaries, who held him in the esteem of a saint. Indeed, his cause of beatification and canonization is now under preparation.