ANTONINO VALSECCHI. — Dominican apologist and orator, born in Verona in 1708, died in Padua on 5 March 1791. He first taught philosophy, then devoted himself to preaching, establishing himself among the most distinguished orators of his time. For 33 years professor of theology at the University of Padua (1758–91), he enjoyed the esteem of Charles Emmanuel of Savoy and of Popes Clement XIII, Clement XIV, and Pius VI.
He wrote notable apologetic works: *Dei fondamenti della religione e dei fonti dell’empietà* (3 vols., Padua 1765–1777; Turin 1769–70); *La religione vincitrice relativa ai libri dei fondamenti* (2 vols., Padua 1779); *La verità della Chiesa cattolica romana* (ibid. 1787; in Latin, ibid. 1791); *Praelectiones theologicae* (posthumous, ibid. 1805). Among his other works are to be noted: *Prediche quaresimali* (Venice 1792).
VALSECCHI, ANTONINO
