The Canon of Ancona: Raffaele Martelli, missionary in Western Australia

Item Description

By John J Kinder
Biography B/MAR

Born in Italy, Raffaele Martelli was headed for a brilliant career as a priest and professor but his passion for Italian unification and civil rights put him at odds with the church establishment. After a chance encounter with Rosendo Salvado, founder of the New Norcia Mission, he sailed to Fremantle in 1853, at the age of 42. Directed by church authorities to work among the white population, his passion for social justice led him to build churches and schools, work side by side with Protestant pastors, and look out for the downtrodden.