Pietro Adamo BRIOSCHI. — Missionary of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions of Milan, archbishop of Cartagena (Colombia). Born at Tradate (Milan) on 7 April 1860, died in November 1943. As a theology student he entered the Institute for Foreign Missions of Milan, from which he set out in 1882, still a subdeacon, as secretary to Bishop Eugenio Biffi (q.v.) of Cartagena. He faithfully and intelligently assisted his bishop, and on the latter’s death in 1896 was elected vicar capitular and two years later bishop. He continued the work of reconstruction begun by his predecessor, through preaching, synods, the press, worship, and educational activity, in which he enlisted the help of various religious orders.
Besides numerous pastoral letters, he wrote apologetic pamphlets and books, among which we may mention *La vita di s. Pietro Claver* and *Un apostolo di due continenti* (by Bishop Biffi). He fought against Freemasonry, which in 1910 forced him into exile, though he soon returned to his field of labour. He promoted the evangelisation of the Indians, for whom in 1924 he procured the erection of the Apostolic Prefecture of Sinú, now San Jorge. In 1932 he detached the suffragan diocese of Barranquilla from the archdiocese. For his zeal he was promoted archbishop in 1901 and in 1917 made an assistant at the pontifical throne. The Italian government also recognised his merits by appointing him (1933) Grand Officer of the Crown of Italy.