(62) 1. FLANGINI, Ludovico (1733-1804)
Birth. July 26, 1733, Venice. Of a noble family. Son of Marco Flangini and Cecilia Eleonora Giovanelli. His las name is also listed as Flangini Giovanelli.
Education. He received an excellent literary education with strong classical emphasis; and then began the traditional political career of Venetian nobles.
Early life. He married Laura Maria Donato in 1759 and had a daughter, Cecilia (she married Giulio Panciera, count of Zoppola in 1779); his wife died in 1761 and he retired to Asolo. Member of the Quarantia criminale in 1763. Elected avogador de comun in 1766 and 1769. One of the five "correctors of the law" to study and propose changes in the social life of Venice. He openly supported the conservative philo-senatorial tendency and was hostile to the Quarantiotti; elected from among the correctors of the laws, in November 1774, he proposed to the Council of the Ten the closing of the Ridotto di S. Moisè (a public casino), considering it fomento e forza of gambling. He hoped for a rapid and brilliant career at the top of the Venetian political system, but in 1776, disappointed by the failure to be designated a procurator of S. Marco, he suddenly embraced the ecclesiastical state; and the Venetian Senate for the first time made use of the privilege granted by Pope Clement XII and appointed him auditor of the Sacred Roman Rota on March 16, 1779.
Cardinalate. Created cardinal deacon in the consistory of August 3, 1789; received the red hat and the deaconry of Ss. Cosma e Daminao, December 14, 1789. Ascribed to the SS. CC. of the Tridentine Council, Rites, and Discipline of the Regulars. Received the diaconate on March 28, 1790. Opted for the deaconry of S. Agata in Suburra, February 21, 1794.
Priesthood. Ordained, 1799, before entering the conclave. Participated in the conclave of 1799-1800, celebrated in Venice, which elected Pope Pius VII; author of a diary of the conclave which is very valued by historians. Opted for the order of priest and the title of S. Marco, April 2, 1800.After the conclave, he went to Vienna to collect the credits of his pro-imperial endeavors; he sought and obtained confirmation of the pension (10.000 ducati) canceled by the democratic Municipality after the fall of the Republic of Venice; as well as the election to the patriarchate.
Episcopate. Elected patriarch of Venice, December 23, 1801. Consecrated, Sunday March 14, 1802, in Vienna, by Cardinal František de Paula Hrzán z Harass, bishop of Szombathely. From Vienna he addressed the faithful his first pastoral letter, which central themes were the need for a better preparation of the clergy, the religious instruction of the people, and the struggle against the "false maxims of pseudo philosophers". He took possession of the see on the following November 24. In the short period of his episcopate, Cardinal Flangini reduced the stipend for masses; took some church funds and benefices in order to improve the economic condition of the clergy; erected new confraternities; oversaw the education of the clergy; improved the operation of the seminary; gave an impulse to the devotion of the Forty Hours; issued provisions on the robes of priests and women; punish the most serious abuses of some ecclesiastics; but did not have time to establish, as he desired, an academy of sacred eloquence. Privy counselor of Emperor Francis I of Austria. Named count of the Sacred Roman Empire. Opted for the title of S. Anastasia, May 24, 1802. In a conference with the Plenipotentiary Ministers Counts Franz von Bissingen and G. Maillat held on August 14, 1802, Cardinal Flangini tried in vain to obtain the restoration of the Court of the Holy Office (to fight against "secret societies" and "Free Mason sects"); the exclusive in judgments in matrimonial matters and in those of beneficiaries dei piovani e titolati; and the right of review of ecclesiastical books and broadsides; his insistence to submit regular orders to their superiors general, rather than to the bishops; and the restoration of the suppressed Society of Jesus, were unsuccessful. He was more successful on other matters relating the discipline of the clergy and the faithful: the cardinal could then choose between the priests of his diocese the chancellor of the patriarchal curia; he obtained allowances for the benefit of the school of catechumens, the patriarchal seminary (with the removal of the employee dependent of the primicerius) and the regular clergy, in order to reduce the convents Venetian to the state of "perfect community." Decorated with the grand cross of the Austrian Royal Order of Sankt Stefan of Hungary (Königlich ungarischer St. Stephans-Orden) in 1803. He initiated a pastoral visit to the diocese on May 2, 1803, but it was interrupted by his death; between 1804 and 1805, Vicar Capitular Nicolò Bortolatti continued the visit.
Death. February 29, 1804, Venice. Exposed and buried in the patriarchal cathedral of Venice.
Bibliography. Niero, Antonio. I patriarchi di Venezia. Da Lorenzo Giustiniani ai nostri giorni. Venice : Studium Cattolico Veneziano, 1961. (Collana storica, 3), pp. 155-158 and 254.
Links. Biography by Paolo Preto, in Italian, Dizionario Biografico degli Italiani - Volume 48 (1997), Treccani;
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