CASTAGNETTO, CESARE TRABUCCO di. - B. 1 June 1802 in Torino, d. 25 Oct. 1888 in Moncalieri, he first embraced a career in the magistracy, which he abandoned in order to enter the service of Carlo Alberto, then prince of Carignano, as private secretary. He remained in the prince’s service even after his accession to the throne, and was appointed intendant of the Royal Household, an office which he retained until the king’s abdication. Created senator on 3 Apr.
1848, he displayed in the course of his parliamentary activity sentiments of both liberty and Catholicism.
Speaking on 23 Apr. 1855 in the general debate on the bill concerning the suppression of religious communities, Count C. rightly wished to point out that “it would be a true sophism to believe it possible to admit the present law without repealing art. 1 of the Statute.”
After the capture of Rome, in the sittings of 28 Dec. 1870 and 21 Apr. 1871, C. declared that he did not accept the plebiscite of the Roman provinces and that he was opposed to the law of guarantees, because it impaired the free exercise of the pontiff’s spiritual authority.