Alexander Gordon

“ MORONE, GIOVANNI (1509–1580) , Italian cardinal, was born on the 25th of January 1509 at Milan, where his father, Count Ieronimo Morone (d. 1529) , was grand chancellor. His father, who had been imprisoned for opposing encroachments on the liberties of Milan by Charles V. (Whom he afterwards cordially supported) , removed to Modena, where his youngest son had most of his early education. Proceeding to Padua he studied jurisprudence with distinction. ”

“ At the end of 1564 Foscherari died, and Morone was reinstated in the see of Modena. On the death of Pius IV. (1565) he came near to being elected pope. His last days were easy; he died at Rome on the 1st of December 1580, and was buried at S. Maria sopra Minerva. His writings comprise a few letters and orations. His career is that of a good man, struggling for the welfare of his Church against corruptions not essential to the system to which he was devoted. ”

“ The views of the Reformers had spread in his diocese, and he was suspected of temporizing with them. He resigned his see (1550) in favour of the Dominican Egidio Foscherari, reserving to himself an annual pension and the patronage of livings. ”