On the basis of Italian archival sources the author analyzes the attitude of Italian Faschist
authorities toward Gorica Archbishop Sedej, whom they wanted to replace with an Italian
bishop after the annexation of Giulia to Italy. Since he protected the national rights of believers
and used their mother’s tongue in church services, therefore obstructing the regime policy
to denationalize the Slovene and the Croatian minorities, he was accused of being a
supporter of Austria and against Italy. Since the Holy Seat was defending its utterly loyal and
spirited archbishop until the concordat with the Italian state in 1929, that Sedej resigned only
a month before his death in October 1931.