Giacinto Achilli | |
---|---|
Born | Giovanni Giacinto Achilli 1803 |
Disappeared | 1860 (aged 56–57) |
Occupation | Dominican friar |
Known for | Accused of child sexual abuse |
Giovanni Giacinto Achilli (Italian pronunciation: [dʒoˈvanni dʒaˈtʃinto aˈkilli]; c. 1803 – c. 1860) was an Italian Roman Catholic Dominican friar and anti-Jesuit who was discharged from priesthood and imprisoned by the Roman Inquisition after being accused of child sexual abuse[2][3] or for doctrinal heresy. However, Achilli escaped and subsequently became a fervent evangelist for the Protestant Anglican Communion. He is particularly notable for his activities in England and for launching a successful criminal prosecution against John Henry Newman, who made accusations about Achilli's past, for libel.