ZUCCHINI, CARLO. - Italian Catholic deputy and organizer, b. at Faenza on 13 Apr. 1862, d. at Rocchetta di Vara (La Spezia) on 14 Nov. 1928.
In 1890 he began a remarkable activity in several branches of Catholic Action, founding, among other things, the Circle of Catholic Youth of Faenza, which was the first in the diocese; the Workers’ Mutual Aid Society; and the Casa del popolo, which became the central headquarters of the Catholic associations. He collaborated in the foundation of the Banca di credito romagnolo; and also, together with Crispolti and Grosoli, in the foundation of the Bologna daily L'avvenire d'Italia. He likewise founded the popular weekly Il Piccolo, which became the organ of Catholic Action in Faenza. Within the Opera dei Congressi he was a member of the Romagna Regional Committee and of the Permanent General Committee. In Nov. 1903 he was acting president of the National Congress of Bologna, in which, under Murri’s leadership, the innovative current of Christian democracy prevailed in determining the movement’s direction. In 1915, on Toniolo’s nomination, he was appointed general president of the Unione Economico-Sociale (v.).
Having entered political life with the Partito popolare, he was elected deputy for Ravenna in 1919 to the 25th legislature, and for Bologna in 1921 to the 26th. In the Chamber as well as at public meetings, he brought his forceful exhortatory speech and practical contributions; much was therefore owing to him for the fact that in Faenza and in other centres of Romagna the subversive tide did not prevail.