GENTILONI, VINCENZO OTTORINO. — Count, lawyer, and politician, born in Filottrano on 13 October 1865, died in Rome on 2 August 1916. He practiced law and played an important role in the defense of Catholics brought to trial after the events of 1898.
A highly active leader of Catholic Action, he was president of the Roman Catholic Union and of the regional committee of the Marches, until Pius X entrusted him, in July 1909, with the direction of the Italian Catholic Electoral Union. In this office he carried out fruitful activity, which became evident in the general elections of 1913 when, although the non expediti had not been formally revoked, he was charged by the Pope with supporting the candidacies of those who undertook, in exercising their parliamentary mandate, to observe seven conditions. These came to be called the “G. heptalogy” or, more commonly, the “G. pact.”
They consisted in opposition to further restrictive measures against religious Congregations; the protection of the rights of private schools; the preservation of religious instruction in elementary schools; the rejection of any possible divorce laws; the defense of the right of Catholic economic and social organizations to be represented on public councils; support for every tax reform aimed at establishing greater social justice; and adherence to every legislative measure that would result in a real strengthening of the nation’s economic and moral forces. A total of 228 deputies who had signed the pact were elected.
G., who held distinguished offices at the papal court and enjoyed Pius X’s particular friendship, relinquished the presidency of the Electoral Union in January 1916, a few months before his premature death.