ZUCCHINI, CARLO. — Italian Catholic deputy and organizer, b. Faenza 13 Apr. 1862, d. Rocchetta di Vara (La Spezia) 14 Nov. 1928.
In 1890 he began a singular activity in several branches of Catholic Action, founding, among other things, the Circle of the Young Catholic 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 Catholic associations. He cooperated in the founding of the Romagna Credit Bank; and also, with Crispoli and Grosoli, in the founding of the daily L’avvenire d’Italia of Bologna. He likewise founded the weekly Il Piccolo, of popular genre, which served as the organ of Catholic Action in Faenza. In the Opera dei Congressi he was a member of the Romagna regional committee and of the Permanent General Committee. In Nov. 1903 he was the effective president of the national congress in Bologna, at which, under Murri’s guidance, the innovative current of Christian democracy prevailed in the movement’s directives. In 1915, on Toniolo’s recommendation, he was appointed general president of the Economic-Social Union (v.).
Entering political life with the Italian Popular Party, he was elected deputy for Ravenna in 1919 for the 25th legislature, and for Bologna in 1921 for the 26th. In the Chamber and at public meetings he brought a firm and encouraging word and practical contributions, so that much was owed to him for the fact that at Faenza and in other centres of Romagna the subversive tide did not prevail.