Federico Sarego (Archbishop)

Baron Federico Sarego GCL (14 Oct. 2115, Castel Sarego-6 Aug. 2187, Citadel) is an archbishop, lawyer and politician in the late second empire and early confederate era.

## Personal details

### Born

14 October 2115, Castel Sarego, Summonte, Second empire

### Died

6 August 2187, Citadel, First confederate

### Resting place

Basilica San Andrea e Marcello in Citadel, Citadel

### Alma Mater

University of Castello, Doctorate in law (2140)

## Early life

Federico Sarego is the third son of count Bonifacio Sarego of Castel Sarego (2080-2146), and Anastasia Thiene (2082-2160), daughter of Marquis Carlo Anastasio Thiene, Viceroy of Ilis. He came from a noble and ancient family in north Summonte, although newly established in imperial court. His father attended minor posts at court and retired to his country villa shortly after. His second-born brother, Niccolo Sarego (2107-2143) embraced an ecclesiastic career, while he decided to practice law. He graduated in law in 2140, obtaining a doctorate.

## Early Career

He went to citadel where his uncle Gasparo Thiene was the secretary to the prime minister and was appointed a judge in the Citadel criminal court. He is known for his role in some difficult cases at the time.

### Prelature

His brother Niccolo was consecrated bishop of Albero e Bagnolo in 2142 and died the following year. Then he decided to enter the clerical state in 2145, and became a referendario di giustizia. Then he exercised several gubernatorial posts, both in and out papal jurisdiction It seems that he showed some agricultural interest. He was *legato straordinario* to the emperor in 2155-56, to settle some controversy arose from the downfall of D.Lopez. A voter of tribunal of justice since 2156, he went to citadel after his long-time friend, G.Salimbeni, became prime minister, in 2158.

## Political Career

Appointed judge of Supreme Court in 2158, he exercised this post until 2167, while abandoning his clerical benefice to run for the senatorial seat of Vago in 2161. After the election of Arizadeh, a friend of him, he decided to resign the post and run for Vago again. Arizadeh made him a vice-minister of justice. He briefly opposed Arizadeh in the Manor's incident, however it made little harm to his position. He lost the re-election in August 2169 and went back to the Supreme Court, as a senior advocate. This time he had a grave quarrel with Patcha's minister, and resigned the post in November 2169.

## Episcopate

According to Cordier, he asked for a diocese to retire, and the pope approved. He was consecrated bishop of Casaleone in December 2169, and had a synod shortly after. He did visit his parishes often; however, he also completed his legal handbook during this tenure. After Chen Jiahong's election, he was sent to Citadel as *legato straordinatrio* again, and probably won the prime minister's favor.

On 23 March 2172, Elias Khoraish, the elderly archbishop of Citadel passed away. Chen nominated Sarego his successor but met much protest because Sarego was too much a "politician" to some canons. He tried to convince the pope, and his agent in Citadel wrote to him, assuring that Chen had already promised the archdiocese. Finally the pope approved, and he entered the cathedral on 2 May. He did consolidate the jurisdiction, but yet maintained a good relationship with ministers. Although he was criticized behaving like a courtier, he was also praised as effective. The reorganization of parishes finished during his mandate, in 2178. He was made a non-hereditary baron in 2175.

He refused to cooperate with Guan Yanran in 2178, but accepted to be present during the coronation. Although he didn't leave the Citadel after 2179, he retired to his country villa, and fled to Teverina in February 2180, when he heard Emperor Zheng Bosong abdicated. He returned to Citadel in 2181.

He probably waited for the cardinalate in 2184, but he was not on the list. His nephew and former client, Rinaldo Rota, was appointed cardinal in 2181. Resigned his archdiocese in 2185, he went back to Teverina, and was appointed prefect of Signatura. Archival evidence suggested he was named a cardinal *in pectore* in 2186, but he died from cardiac disease before it was published, on 6 August 2187.

1. ↑ For the genealogical table, see Stampa, III, pp.209-267; for the family archives and documents, see Avogadro, *documenti della famiglia Sarego,* in *Documenti*, XII 2192, pp.136-186
2. ↑ Reference:
3. ↑ Pantiere 2146, Varano 2148, Rossano 2153, Leona 2156. See: