Note sul ‘Giornale ecclesiastico’ di Gaspare Morardo (1800-1801)

The historians of the times of the Revolution have long acknowledged the important role played by the periodical press. “Giornale ecclesiastico” by Gasparo Morardo was one of these journals, and stood out for its religious interests and positions. It was publi- shed in Turin between 1800 and 1801. Its editor, a deter- mined fan of the ideas coming from France, was one of the most convinced supporters of a democratic and republican regime, where religion was key in building a new order. From the pages of his journal, Morardo was able to conduct a fierce battle for religious re- novation, involving all levels of the Church, which he consi- dered as an old source of abu- se among people. Morardo’s dispute led him to follow the so-called Theophilantrophy, a natural and deist-oriented re- ligion. In order to pursue his aim, Morardo did not restrain from attacking, even brutally, the Ecclesiastic Commission of Piedmont, which he considered as a hideout of Jansenists una- ble of taking care of religious matters which fell under the State’s responsibility.