"O revolucija – za te nisem rojen,nikdar se te ne privadim" : tržaški škof Andrej Karlin (1911–1919) o prevratni dobi v Trstu

slovenian

2024

diocese of Trieste   Italian authorities   jorunal

Univerza v Ljubljani, Teološka fakulteta
(Obvezni izvod spletne publikacije)

The Bishop of Trieste Andrej Karlin wrote in his private journal his thoughts about the exciting events in his diocese from late October 1918 until April 1919, with a longer break in between, which was the consequence of his journal being confiscated by Italian protesters. The article brings a study facilitating our understanding of Karlin’s journal, social uncertainty, violence, and persecution of priests in the Diocese of Trieste. The bishop also draws attention to those priests who welcomed the arrival of the Italian occupation authorities. Karlin hopes that after the initial period of unrest and uncertainty, order will be restored, which, as a legalist and representative of the local Church as a transnational community in the first half of November 1918, is most important to him. He is reserved towards the new military authorities whom he perceives as occupation, as temporary. Bishop Karlin is aware of his powerlessness, yet does not lose hope. With the authority of a Catholic bishop, he endeavours at least to alleviate the hardships of his priests who are persecuted or distressed. Thus, on the one hand, the journal illustrates what was happening on the micro level (in Trieste), while at the same time bringing attention to the macro level, i.e. the pressure of the Italian authorities on the Vatican for Karlin’s removal. To reinforce their position, the Italian authorities sent to the Vatican a transcript of parts of Karlin’s journal taken from the Bishop of Trieste by protesters when they invaded his personal quarters on 29 December 1918. The transcript of the journal sent to the Vatican was also published. However, this article presents the Karlin’s original journal from the revolutionary period. Karlin’s perception of the period is best described by his journal entry: Oh revolution – I was not born for you, I will never get used to you.

28.01.2026