Salotti, Carlo

SALOTTI, CARLO. - Cardinal, b. at Grotte di Castro (diocese of Montefiascone) on 25 July 1870,

Kapljuč, Manastirine, Marusinac, Crikvine and Majdan). The largest and best known is that of Manastirine, in the center of a vast necropolis ("Coemeterium Legis Sanctae Christianae") with vaulted tombs, monuments with sarcophagi, etc. In this basilica the martyr bishop Domnio was buried, and after the devastation of the Salona territory, caused by the Goths, in it, although reduced because it had been damaged, were d. at Rome on 24 Oct. 1947. After completing his studies at the Seminary of Orvieto, from 1891 to 1894, during his military service in Rome, he devoted himself to the study of philosophy and theology.

A priest in 1894, he earned his degree in theology, philosophy, canon and civil law at the Roman Seminary, and in letters at the Sapienza. He devoted himself to preaching and to the development of Catholic Action and to the spread of the thought of Leo XII on the social question. He was moreover a professor of philosophy at the Liceo S. Apollinare (1902-12) and began new forms of apostolate in the field of apologetics, giving philosophical lectures at the seat of the Artistica Operaia and in the parish of S. Crisogono in Trastevere. At the same time he carried on an intense activity at the Congregation of Rites as advocate in the causes of the Saints. Appointed by Benedict XV (1915) subpromoter of the faith, he collaborated in the drafting of the canons of the CIC relating to the causes of beatification and canonization of the servants of God. By Pius XI in 1925 he was appointed promoter general of the faith, then in 1930 he was elected titular archbishop of Philippopolis in Thrace and secretary of the Congregation of Propaganda Fide, and in this office he provided for the formation and elevation of the native clergy and hierarchy as well as for Catholic Action in the Missions. As rector of the Athenaeum of the Pont. Collegio Urbano he founded the scientific missionary Institute, the laboratory of experimental psychology, established new chairs and gave impetus to the Library. He then began from Vatican Radio the messages to the world for the missionary day, also holding illustrative lectures in various cities of Italy and urging the faithful to give generously their spiritual and material contribution for the propagation of the faith in the world. Pius XI, in the Consistory of 13 March 1933, created him cardinal reserving him in pectore and published him on 16 Dec. 1935, with the title of S. Bartolomeo all'Isola, which he left on 16 Dec. 1939 when he opted for the see of Palestrina. In 1938 he was called to succeed card. Camillo Laurenti as prefect of the Congr. of Rites. The appointment as cardinal did not cut short his apostolic activity, in the ministry of the word and of the pen. One recalls in his regard the opposition he always showed with respect to fascism and his intrepid firmness during the Nazi occupation. Alongside the numerous hagiographic publications should be remembered: L'opera diplomatica e sacerdotale del card. Domenico Ferrata (Turin 1914); La crisi della società contemporanea. Studi apologetici (Rome 1922); Un campione dell'Azione Cattolica - Filippo Tolli (ibid. 1924); Il card. Giovanni Bonzano (ibid. 1927); Profilo di santi, apostoli, eroi (Pisa 1944); Sulle trincee per la verità e per la fede (Rome 1944); La romanità dei santi (ibid. 1946), besides many valuable letters to the diocesans of Palestrina. Recently there have been published, with a preface by d. Luigi Sturzo, his Memorie (Rome 1951), of great interest for the knowledge of men and events.

Mario de Camillia