Leonardo Antonelli
| His Eminence Leonardo Antonelli | |
|---|---|
| Dean of the College of Cardinals | |
Portrait of Cardinal Antonelli, 18th century
| |
| Church | Catholic Church |
| Appointed | 3 August 1807 |
| Term ended | 23 January 1811 |
| Predecessor | Henry Benedict Stuart |
| Successor | Alessandro Mattei |
| Other posts | Cardinal-Bishop of Ostia (1807-1811) |
| Previous posts | Cardinal-Priest of Santa Sabina (1775–1794) Cardinal-Bishop of Palestrina (1794–1800) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 1764 |
| Consecration | 19 March 1794 by Gian Francesco Albani |
| Created cardinal | 24 April 1775 by Pope Pius VI |
| Rank | Cardinal-Bishop |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 6 November 1730 Senigallia, Italy |
| Died | 23 January 1811 (aged 80) Senigallia, Italy |
Leonardo Antonelli (6 November 1730 – 23 January 1811) was an Italian Catholic cardinal.[1]
Biography
A native of Senigallia, Antonelli was the nephew of Cardinal Nicolò Maria Antonelli. During the early part of his long diplomatic career, he held, among other offices, those of canon of the Vatican Basilica, Prefect of archives in the Castle of San Angelo, Secretary of the Sacred College and Assessor of the Holy Office. He was created Cardinal-Priest of Santa Sabina by Pope Pius VI in the consistory of 24 April 1775, and later Dean of the Sacred College and Cardinal Bishop of Ostia-Velletri.
At the time of the French Revolution, with a view to preventing the suspension of church services, he lent his support to the vote for the civil constitution of the French clergy, decreed by the National Assembly of France (12 July 1790).
In addition to the responsible posts already mentioned, he filled those of grand penitentiary, prefect of the Signature of Justice and of the Congregation of the Index, and pro-secretary of Briefs. He assisted in the preparation of the Concordat, and was present at the election of Pope Pius VII in 1800, whom he later accompanied to Paris in 1804. He participated in the Coronation of Napoleon Bonaparte as Emperor of the French.[2]
In 1808, he was banished from Rome by the French to Spoleto and later to Sinigaglia, where he died, leaving to the Congregation of Propaganda bequests for the support of twelve Armenian students in the College of Urbano.
Though Antonelli has been criticized for arrogating to the papacy too arbitrary a civil power, a perusal of his letter to the bishops of Ireland reveals a more tolerant spirit than is generally attributed to him. Possessed of a rich library, he was the friend and protector of letters, and had as librarian, the learned Francesco Cancellieri. He also acquired some fame as an archaeologist.[3]
From the 1913 Catholic Encyclopedia
Leonardo Antonelli — Cardinal, b. at Sinigaglia, 6 November 1730; d. 23 January, 1811, nephew of Cardinal Nicolo Maria Antonelli. During the early part of his long diplomatic career he held among other offices those of canon of the Vatican Basilica, Prefect of archives in the Castle of San Angelo, Secretary of the Sacred College and Assessor of the Holy Office. He was created Cardinal-Priest of St. Sabina by Pius VI in the consistory of 24 April, 1775, and later Dean of the Sacred College and Bishop of Ostia and Velletri. At the time of the French Revolution, with a view to preventing the suspension of church services, he lent his support to the vote for the civil constitution of the French clergy decreed by the National Assembly of France (12 July, 1790). In addition to the responsible posts already mentioned, he filled those of grand penitentiary, prefect of the Signature of Justice and of the Congregation of the Index, and pro-secretary of Briefs. He assisted in the preparation of the Concordat, and was present at the election of Pius VII (1800), whom he later accompanied to Paris (1804). He was banished from Rome by the French (1808) to Spoleto and later to Sinigaglia, where he died, leaving to the Congregation of Propaganda bequests for the support of twelve Armenian students in the College of Urbano. Though Antonelli has been criticized for arrogating to the papacy too arbitrary a civil power, a perusal of his letter to the bishops of Ireland reveals a more tolerant spirit than is generally attributed to him. Possessed of a rich library, he was the friend and protector of letters, and had as librarian the learned Cancellieri. He also acquired some fame as an archaeologist.
CANCELLIERI, Cenotaphium Leonardi Antonelli Cardinalis (Pesaro, 1825).
References
- Back to citation Florida International University website, The Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church section, Consistories for the creation of Cardinals, 18th Century (1700-1799)
- Back to citation The History of Paris, from the Earliest Period to the Present Day; Containing a Description of Its Antiquities, Public Buildings (etc.). Paris: Galignani. 1825. p. 52.
- Back to citation New Advent website, Leonardo Antonelli