Italian cardinal; Bishop of Cervia; Apostolic Administrator of Montefiascano & Corneto; Bishop of Montefiascone. Created a cardinal in 1824.
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed; three pages, 18 October 1817. Written to an unknown cardinal-prince by Cardinal Bonaventura Cardinal Gazzola, OFM., Ref., (order of Reformed Friars Minor) while Administrator of Corneto. Mentions the Camerlengo of the Church (Cardinal Galleffi), Cardinal Maury and Pius VII. Merits further research!
SUMMARY: (Future) Cardinal Gazzola addresses a cardinal (Most Eminent and Reverend Prince), reporting the financial difficulties encountered in continuing the work of the cathedral, particularly concerning the construction of the dome and maintenance of the episcopal palace. While 12,000 pounds of lead and 1,700 scud had already been allocated, these funds proved insufficient to cover the expenses of the masons and master builder. In order to prevent the project from halting, the writer requests authorization to draw on a bill of exchange, which would be repaid the following spring, so that he may assure the Holy Father (Pius VII) that the work will, indeed, be completed. He refers to Corneto, the port of embarkation for overseas trade, underlining the logistical difficulties and the necessity of regular funding in order to not compromise the progress of the project. The writer further informs that the Cardinal Camerlengo is already aware of the situation who has expressed his willingness to provide a bill of exchange for 25,000 bushels of grain, to be supplied free of charge in support of the project. He specifies that, without such aid, it will not be possible to complete both the dome and sustain the episcopal palace at the same time and, therefore, a choice will have to be made as to which of the two projects should be prioritized. He adds some reflection on the administration of the diocese, pledging not to “strangle the budget,” that is — to not further burden the accounts — in order to avoid suspension of the work. He reports with satisfaction that, in the previous November, he had the consolation of restoring the liturgical offices of the cathedral, which had been neglected since the beginning of the building campaign. The letter closes with the usual expressions of deference, date 18 December 1817.