PERLO, FILIPPO. – Missionary bishop, born at Caramagna (Piedmont) on 8 Feb. 1873, died in Rome on 4 Nov. 1948. After entering the Seminary of Fossano, he transferred to that of Turin, where he was ordained priest in 1896. In the same year he obtained the degree in theology and in utroque iure.
Having founded by Canon Allamano (q.v.) the Institute of the Consolata Missions (q.v.), he was among the first to enrol (1901), and in 1902, together with Fr. Tommaso Gays, he took part in the first missionary expedition to Kenya. Received by the chief of the Akikuyu, Karoli, whom he later converted, he established his first seat at Tuthu. The country, the people, and the language were still little known. He explored the Kikuyu, described its inhabitants, and saw to the publication of grammars, lexicons, and books. He founded about twenty mission stations, a seminary, a monastery for indigenous sisters, workshops, and trade schools. Superior of the mission in 1905, he was consecrated in 1909 as titular bishop of Maronea and appointed first Apostolic Vicar of Kenya.
From 1926 to 1929 he succeeded Canon Allamano in the direction of the Institute of the Consolata Missions.
In the missions of Kenya his apostolic work was also carried out by his brother Gabriele (Fossano 1879–Rome 1948), who later became Apostolic Prefect of Benadir and first Apostolic Vicar of Mogadiscio, titular bishop of Amastin (1927).
Principal works by F.: *L’apostolato della suora missionaria* (Turin [1924]); *L’infantilizio nell’Africa Equatoriale* (ibid. [1924]); *Karoli* (ibid. [1927]).