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Communication to the Faithful following invasion of the convent in Dorsoduro and the murder of Suor Maria Sofia
C uria di San Pietro in Castello
Comunicato del Mons. Giovanelli a nome di S.E. Rev.ma Giovanni Bragadin , Patriarca
Following the shocking death of Suor Maria Sofia, may she rest in peace, His Excellency the Most Reverend Giovanni Bragadin, Patriarch of Venice, has placed the convent called Mercy in Dorsoduro under interdict; the Sisters and the orphans shall be housed in a secure monastery in sestiere Castello until it is deemed safe to return them to Dorsoduro.
Let all know that the family of Suor Maria Sofia was notified immediately, and her grieving mother, sisters and brothers have been given housing at the expense of His Excellency Most Reverend. By special archepiscopal indult, the family have been admitted into the cloister. They shall assist at the Christian burial of the mortal remains of their beloved sister, along with all the Sisters of the convent community, which burial shall take place in the crypt of the monastery church tomorrow according to the dictates of the rule of Saint Augustine.
Furthermore, His Excellency Most Reverend has authorised me to communicate with His Most Serene Highness, Alvise IV Giovanni Mocenigo, Doge of Venice, lest there be any interference with the life of the Sisters and of the children committed to their care.
His Serenity has assured His Excellency the Patriarch that every measure is being taken to secure the sestiere. His Excellency Most Reverend the Patriarch further threatens excommunication ipso facto with anyone who would attempt to desecrate the resting place of Sister Maria Sofia or interfere with the life of the orphans or the consecrated women.
His Excellency Most Reverend has further instructed me to inform the faithful that it is his considered opinion that the anti-monastic policies of the Senate have not come into play in the foul murder of Suor Maria Sofia. The readiness of His Serenity to mobilize the Guardia is an indication of this, the Patriarch confirms. His Excellency Most Reverend only laments the fact that security has been so lax up to this point, and that nothing seems to have been done in the past to prevent violence in the various sestieri of the city, especially in those areas touching the Grand Canal. Reports that bodies of victims have been removed by curious and malicious foreigners have further upset His Excellency Most Reverend, who has redoubled his protests to His Serenity Alvise IV. Assurances have come that the Guardia will increase its watch and strengthen its efforts to apprehend any and all involved in criminal activity.
The Requiem Mass will be celebrated for the repose of the soul of Suor Maria Sofia during the Month's Mind, 30 days from yesterday, in the cathedral of San Pietro di Castello. In the meantime, let the faithful continue to offer their prayers in suffrage for the blessed soul of the beloved Suor Maria Sofia, as for all the victims of human malice and passion.
Given at San Pietro in Castello
in the name of the Archbishop Patriarch of Venice
23 June in the Year of Our Lord 1768
and signed and sealed by
Mons. Federico Maria Giovanelli
Domestic Prelate to His Holiness Clement XIII
Monseigneur,I can understand your emotion under the sad circumstances occurring in Venice lately: the Royal Courts, for the main part, are combat-free places, where death ( though we know it might be impending on us all) is fortunately a scarce occurrence. This is why these terrible events stirred emotion far beyond the borders of the Serenissima. Please do believe we share your grief and sorrow.With all due respect, I would like to add another comment: You seem to lump in the same bag the (unknown) authors of this lethal violence, and the " curious and malicious foreigners" who removed the bodies.It could be argued that only one body ( the first one) was removed, and only so because no man in Venice ( it is not a ladies' duty) took care of it, letting it float in the canals( except my dear friend Myron, Count of Loredan and the Count Bembo, who organized boat rescues)...We do weep and mourn, like you, the shocking death of Suor Maria Sofia, but we felt alone when we wept and mourned the shocking death of the unknown lady who drowned in the canal a few days earlier. It was a charity ( a word you should understand and practice better than us, though) gesture from Dr Pekel and Lady Lorakeet, to take care of the abandoned body and enquire about the causes of this strange death, and there was no " foreign malice" at all in their intentions.I could argue more and more, but it is not the point I am aiming at: I only need to submit to your thoughtful attention the danger of speaking of "malicious foreigners", when no evidence has been brought to light of this " malice".This could be interpreted as a call for xenophobic reaction, which is to be avoided absolutely in all circumstances, and especially in the peaceful ,friendly and tolerant atmosphere that prevails between the Royal Courts.Some of my best friends are the people you granted with this" foreign malice", and some others are Serenissima Dignitaries, whose friendship honors me: they made me feel at home in Venezia, as I hope ( and sense) they feel welcomed in the Duchy de Coeur, where I live.Let us be all brothers and sisters in Christ, according to your Gospel, and at least brothers and sisters in Royal Courts! and please let us avoid to set anyone against "the foreigners": we all come here in the Courts from all parts of the world to enjoy and share living together peacefully in these wonderful sims!I bow to you, Monseigneur, and kiss your ring.