CURCI

curci, carlo maria (1810-1891), italian theologian, was born at naples. he joined the jesuits in 1826, and for some time was devoted to educational work and the care of the poor and prisoners. he became one of the first editors of the jesuit organ, the _civilta cattolica_; but then came under the influence of gioberti, rosmini and other advocates for reform. he wrote a preface to gioberti's _primato_ (1843), but dissented from his _prolegomena_. after the events of 1870, curci, at florence, delivered a course on christian philosophy; and in 1874 began to publish several scriptural works. in his edition of the new testament (1879-1880) he makes some severe remarks on the neglect of the study of scripture amongst the italian clergy. in the meantime he began to attack the political action of the vatican, and in his _il moderno dissidio tra la chiesa e l'italia_ (1878) he advocated an understanding between the church and state. this was followed by _la nuova italia ed i vecchi zelanti_ (1881), another attack on the vatican policy; and by his _vaticano regio_ (1883), in which he accuses the vatican of trafficking in holy things and declares that the taint of worldliness came from the false principles accepted by the curia. his former work at naples drew him also in the direction of christian socialism. he was condemned at rome, and in a letter to _the times_ (10th of september 1884) declares that it was on account of his disobedience to the decrees of the roman congregation: "i am a dutiful son of the church who hesitates to obey an order of his mother because he does not see clear enough the maternal authority in it." he was cast out of the society of jesus and suspended, and during this time cardinal manning put his purse at curci's disposal. finally he accepted the decrees against him and retracted "all that he said contrary to the faith, morals and discipline of the church." he passed the remainder of his life in retirement at florence, and, a few months before his death, was readmitted to the jesuit society. he died on the 8th of june 1891. (e. tn.)