MÉRODE, FRÉDÉRIC GHISLAIN DE

Archbishop, minister of war, and almoner of Pius IX; b. Brussels, March 20, 1820; d. Rome, July 10, 1874. Of noble birth, he studied classics at Namur, and military science at Brussels. After distinguishing himself for bravery as a soldier in Algiers (1844–45), he studied for the priesthood at the Roman College (1847–49). When Pius IX's prime minister Pellegrino rossi, was assassinated (Nov. 16, 1848), Mérode, with his usual impetuosity, doffed his cassock and hurried to the Quirinal with pistols at his hip to defend the beleaguered pope. When Pius IX returned from Gaeta (April 12, 1850), he learned of Mérode's loyalty and made him his chamberlain on active duty. An extraordinarily close friendship developed between the refined, handsome Italian pope and the gigantically tall, somewhat blustering Belgian soldier and priest. Pius IX took him on all his journeys through the states of the church. Mérode was the one who induced the pope to build an army, and to put Lamoricière in charge (see zouaves, papal). As war minister, Mérode was ever at odds with Cardinal antonelli, the secretary of state, who preferred diplomacy to arms. The populace blamed Mérode for all the military reverses in the conflicts with the emerging Kingdom of Italy. Pressure became so strong that Pius IX reluctantly asked for his resignation (Oct. 6, 1865). Mérode then became papal almoner. He was consecrated titular archbishop of Melitene (June 22, 1866). Until 1870 he enlarged and modernized the streets of Rome and introduced agricultural reforms. Thereafter he devoted himself exclusively to charitable causes. His character was a mixture of romantic dreamer, ascetical monk, cavalier soldier, and outspoken counselor.

Bibliography: l. besson, Frederick Francis Xavier de Mérode, tr. lady herbert (London 1887). t. j. lamy, Monseigneur de Mérode (Brussels 1875). R. Aubert, "Mgr. de Mérode, ministre de guerre sous Pie IX," Revue générale Belge 126 (May–June 1956) 1120–43, 1316–34; "La Chute de Mgr. de Mérode," Rivista di storia della Chiesa in Italia 9 (1955) 331–392.

[w. h. peters]