Biography
Francesco Fogolla
About Francesco Fogolla
Francesco Fogolla was born at Montereggio di Mulazzo in Italy on 4 October 1839. He entered the Franciscans, was ordained a priest in 1863 and went to China as a missionary. In Shanxi he learned Chinese and served communities in several districts.
Fogolla later represented the mission in Europe, seeking funds and personnel. In 1898 he was appointed coadjutor to Bishop Gregorio Grassi and titular bishop, then returned to Taiyuan in 1899 with new missionaries and sisters. Treccani describes his work in education, legal advocacy for Christians and formation of local clergy.
During the Boxer violence of 1900, Fogolla was arrested with Grassi and other members of the mission. They were killed at Taiyuan on 9 July. The Holy See names Fogolla among the Franciscan bishop martyrs of Shanxi canonized with the larger group in 2000. The Franciscan order likewise identifies him in the Taiyuan group.
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