CARAFA (CARAFFA)

A noble Neapolitan family that first came into notice during the 14th century, and in its several branches has had a remarkable history in the annals of the Church. Almost exclusively during the 16th and 17th centuries it provided prelates for Naples and Aversa, exerting great influence there and throughout Europe. The apex of its fame was the elevation of Gian Pietro Carafa to the papacy as Paul IV (1555–59), followed soon after in the reign of Pius IV by the lowest ebb of its fortunes, the trial and execution of Paul IV's nephews Cardinal Carlo and Giovanni, Duke of Paliano, for treason and other crimes.

Oliviero. Diplomat; b. Naples, 1430; d. Rome, Jan. 20, 1511. He descended from the counts of Maddaloni (Caserta), became a jurist, was consecrated archbishop of Naples on Dec. 29, 1458, and created a cardinal on Nov. 18, 1467, at the insistence of King Ferdinand of Naples, whom he had served faithfully as president of his council of state and as special envoy. He helped end the war between Ferdinand and Sixtus IV and was sent to draw up the peace treaty. He founded the magnificent crypt chapel in the cathedral of Naples and had the body of St. Januarius (San Gennaro) brought there from Montevergine. Oliviero became cardinal bishop of Ostia, Nov. 29, 1503, and dean of the Sacred College. A generous and pious patron of literature and the arts, he erected for his family the chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas in the church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva at Rome and commissioned Filippino Lippi to decorate it with frescoes, one of which depicts the saint presenting the cardinal to the Virgin. Another monument is the cloister of Santa Maria della Pace, built by Donato Bramante in 1504. Oliviero's palace at Rome, alongside of which stood the statue of Pasquino, was a circumspect retreat for artists and writers. In its cultured atmosphere Oliviero's nephew, Gian Pietro, the future Paul IV, received his education.

Carlo. Adventurer; b. Naples, 1517; d. Rome, March 4, 1561. He was the youngest son of Gian Alfonso, Count of Montorio, and nephew of Paul IV, and he was made a cardinal, June 7, 1555. A debauched and scheming military adventurer without even the requisite education for a simple clerk, he rapidly acquired influence over his uncle and was the guiding spirit of the anti-Spanish policy, which ended in an unsuccessful war against Philip II. While the Pope was pursuing with fierce energy the work of Church reform, unknown to him his nephew was leading a dissipated life in the pontifical court. Only toward the end of his reign did Paul IV learn of his immorality, crimes, and double-dealing with the foreign powers. Indignant, he banned the cardinal and his brothers with their families from Rome on Jan. 27, 1559. This ban undermined the prestige of the Carafa and led to their downfall in the next pontificate. At the death of Paul IV Carlo believed that he could regain his position in the Curia by working for the election of Cardinal de' Medici. Once elected, however, Pius IV arrested the nephews of his predecessor (June 7, 1560), probably yielding to pressure from certain cardinals and Philip II. Following the murder of the Duchess of Paliano, Carlo's sister-in-law, by members of the Paliano family who suspected her of infidelity, an inquest was held in which Carlo's devious political career was investigated. He and his brother Giovanni, Duke of Paliano, and others were condemned to death for high treason. The cardinal was executed by strangulation in the Castel Sant' Angelo. His reputation was at least formally rehabilitated in a consistory held Dec. 26, 1567, by Pius V, early intent on restoring the prestige of his revered predecessor's family. It is to be noted that only the charges of laesa maiestas and fellonia were examined and revised, not that of murder.

Antonio. Scholar; b. Naples, March 25, 1538; d. Rome, Jan. 13, 1591. He was the cousin of Carlo and a learned Greek scholar who had as his teacher Cardinal Guglielmo sirleto. He received a canonry at St. Peter's from his uncle, Paul IV, but was deprived of his benefice when other members of his family were exiled. He was eventually recalled to Rome by Pius V, restored to his canonry, and created a cardinal in 1568. Prefect of the Congregation of the Council, he was also a member of the congregations charged with the correction of the Missal, the Breviary, and the Vulgate. Gregory XIII appointed him bibliothecarius (librarian) of the Vatican Library. He prepared an edition of the Septuagint published at Rome in 1586. He left some manuscript notes of an apologetic nature on the life of Paul IV, later used by Antonio Caracciolo in his Collectarna historica de vita Pauli IV.

Alfonso. Librarian; b. Naples, 1540; d. there, Aug. 26, 1565. As the favorite nephew of Paul IV, he was made a cardinal when 17 years old (March 15, 1557) and named bibliothecarius of the Vatican Library. Alfonso was the only member of the family whom Pius IV allowed near him after the expulsion of the Carafas from Rome. His promising career was ended by an early death. He is the subject of an important recent study by De Maio, who complains that Alfonso has been altogether neglected by biographers or confused with his cousin Antonio, a later bibliothecarius.

Carlo II, Ven. Social apostle; b. Mariglianella (Naples), 1561; d. Naples, Sept. 8, 1633. After a short stay

with the Jesuits he entered the Spanish military service. Although a brilliant officer, his earlier interest, the religious life, again took hold of him. From the time of his ordination in Naples, Jan. 1, 1599, he dedicated himself to an apostolate among the masses. After giving his possessions to the poor, he and eight companions organized missions for the people (1601) and in 1606 opened a house at Naples for his Pii Operarii (Pious Workers), the origin of the congregation surviving to the present. After his death several miracles were attributed to him. His cause was reintroduced at Rome in 1894 to 1895.

Vincenzo. Jesuit general; b. Andria, May 9, 1585; d. Rome, June 8, 1649. The third son of the Duke of Andria, he entered the Jesuit novitiate on Oct. 4, 1604. After his ordination he taught philosophy and engaged in social works. Under his direction the congregation of the nobles at Naples became a center of social action for the diffusion of charity. He was provincial of Naples when elected to succeed Mutius Vitelleschi on Jan. 7, 1646, as seventh general of the society. His firmness in governing was tempered by his charity for the sick and poor, suggesting the ways of St. Ignatius. During the famine and plague that ravaged Rome (1648–49) he personally saw to the feeding of thousands for two months. The plagues provided him the opportunity of fulfilling a vow made in 1624, to dedicate himself to the care of the plague-ridden. In their service he contracted the disease from which he died. Under the pseudonym of Luigi Sidereo he left a series of ascetic writings: Fascetto di Mirra (Rome 1635) and Camino del cielo (1641). He instituted in all the churches of his order the con-fraternity of Bona Mors (A Good Death), at once approved and favored by the popes and still in existence today.

Pierluigi. Papal nuncio; b. Naples, July 31, 1581; d. Rome, July 15, 1655. After studies in Venice, Rome, and a doctorate in law from the University of Naples, he became vice legate to Ferrara, governor of Fermo, and bishop of Tricarico (Potenza) on March 29, 1624. As nuncio to Cologne he effected reforms, founded colleges throughout lower Germany and a university at Münster, and introduced the Capuchins and Jesuits into the Palatinate and the Dioceses of Trier, Fulda, and Constance. He returned to his diocese and rebuilt the cathedral. When he received the cardinalate in 1645 he resigned his see to become legate to Bologna and prefect of the Congregation of the Council. He died during the conclave that elected Alexander VII.

Carlo III. Papal nuncio; b. place and date uncertain;d. April 1644. He became bishop of Aversa (Naples) on July 19, 1616, and then nuncio to the imperial court (1621), where he became well acquainted with the religious problems in Germany and Bohemia. He aided Emperor Ferdinand II in selecting candidates for sees, reforming colleges, and arranging for the restitution of churches and abbeys taken by the Protestants. He published the Commentaria de Germania sacra restaurata in 1641.

Carlo IV. Papal nuncio; b. Naples, 1611; d. Rome, Oct. 19, 1680. He was the nephew of Carlo III and succeeded to the See of Aversa, then was made nuncio to Switzerland (1653), Venice (1654), and the court of Emperor Leopold (1658–64). When he was created cardinal (1664), he renounced his see to his brother, Paolo, a Theatine.

Rosa di Traetto, Ven. Franciscan tertiary; b. Naples, April 6, 1832; d. there, May 2, 1890. She was a descendant of the dukes of Traetto, a branch of the Carafas, and joined the Order of the Servants of the Sacred Heart (Franciscan Tertiaries), founded by Caterina Volpicelli. Her life was marked by continual, painful illness and extraordinary gifts of prayer. She won many vocations to her order by her example and direction. The cause of her beatification was introduced on Aug. 28, 1907.

For Gian Pietro Carafa, see paul iv, pope.

Bibliography: l. jadin, Dictionnaire d'histoire et de géographie ecclésiastiques, ed. a. baudrillart et al. (Paris 1912–) 11:986–95, bibliog. e. mangenot and a. palmieri, Dictionnaire de théologie catholique, ed. a. vacant et al., 15 v. (Paris 1903–50) 2.2:1709. p. auvray et al., Catholicisme. Hier, aujourd'hui et demain, ed. g. jacquemet (Paris 1947–) 2:524–27. f. scandone, "I Carafa di Napoli," Famiglie celebri italiane of p. litta et al, 2d ser., 2 v. (Naples 1902–23). For Carlo I, see l. pastor, The History of the Popes From the Close of the Middle Ages, 40 v. (London-St. Louis 1938–61): v.13–40, from 1st German ed. Geschichte der Päpste seit dem Ausgang des Mittelalters, 16 v. in 21. (Freiburg 1885–1933; repr. 1955–) v.14 passim ; 15:131–78, 415–29. For Alfonso and contemporaries r. de maio, Alfonso Carafa, Cardinale di Napoli 1540–1565 (Studi e Testi 210; Vatican City 1961), bibliog. and documentation.

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