Prince Bishop Frančišek Borgia Sedej and Slovenes from the Littoral Part of Slovenia after WWI

Abstract

On the basis of Italian archival sources the author analyzes the attitude of Italian Faschist authorities toward Gorica Archbishop Sedej, whom they wanted to replace with an Italian bishop after the annexation of Giulia to Italy. Since he protected the national rights of believers and used their mother’s tongue in church services, therefore obstructing the regime policy to denationalize the Slovene and the Croatian minorities, he was accused of being a supporter of Austria and against Italy. Since the Holy Seat was defending its utterly loyal and spirited archbishop until the concordat with the Italian state in 1929, that Sedej resigned only a month before his death in October 1931.