RUFFO SCILLA -
I. LUIGI, senior
Cardinal, born at S. Onofrio (diocese of Mileto) on 25 August 1750, died in Naples on 16 November 1832. Appointed by Pius VI on 11 April 1785 titular archbishop of Apamea and apostolic nuncio in Florence, he demonstrated prudence and skill in handling serious affairs, particularly those concerning the activities of the bishop of Pistoia at Prato, Scipione de' Ricci, and the conciliabulum he had promoted.Transferred to Vienna in 1795, he confirmed his abilities by governing that nunciature at very delicate moments, particularly because of the repercussions in Austria of the events in France, which culminated in the deportation and death of Pius VI. He played a significant role in smoothing over the various difficulties so that the Conclave could be held in Venice, and Pius VII, on 23 February 1801, created him cardinal of the title of SS. Silvestro and Martino ai Monti. On 9 August 1802 he sent him as archbishop to Naples. R. S. immediately began the visitation, provided for the restoration of the Cathedral, which he endowed with precious sacred furnishings, and, among other things, erected the burial place
of the bishops; he rebuilt the episcopal residence’s great hall and was always exceedingly generous toward the poor and suffering, especially during the earthquake of 26 July 1805, which severely damaged the city. Because he had refused to swear an oath of allegiance to Giuseppe Bonaparte, king of Naples, he had to leave Naples in 1806; from there, in 1809, he was dragged to France, where Napoleon wished to confine him in the Charenton Hospital for the Insane; but then had him exiled to S. Quintino. He was among the «black cardinals» and was subsequently confined at Fontainebleau, Grosse, and Savona. Returning to Naples after the Restoration, he was received in triumph by the people and in 1817 held a synod whose acts he published.
II. LUIGI junior
Cardinal, born in Palermo on 16 April 1840, died in Rome on 29 May 1895. Having completed his studies in Naples, he entered the ecclesiastical career.After successively serving as supernumerary secret chamberlain and domestic prelate, he was appointed by Pius IX, on 28 December 1877, archbishop of Chieti and perpetual administrator of Vasto. He rendered outstanding services to the diocese: he modernized the episcopal residence and restored the crypt of S. Giustino and the great Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament in the Cathedral. In 1878, Leo XIII sent him as his representative to London for Queen Victoria’s jubilee celebrations. Transferred on 23 May 1887 to the titular archiepiscopal see of Petra, he was appointed apostolic nuncio in Bavaria and had to overcome considerable difficulties, both because of the tragic death of King Ludwig II (1886) and because of the unfavorable outcome of the political elections. Majordomo in 1889, he was then created cardinal of S. Maria in Traspontina on 14 December 1891.