Viterbo – The bishop at the inauguration of the new headquarters of the Knights of Malta in the church of San Giacomo: “participating in a charitable order is above all a service”
by Daniele Camilli
The new headquarters of Smom in the church of San Giacomo in via Saffi
Viterbo – “We must pour our blood into life’s problems without fearing difficulties”. Bishop Orazio Francesco Piazza, yesterday afternoon during the inauguration of the new headquarters of the Viterbo delegation of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta (SMOM) on the five hundredth anniversary of the settlement of the people of Melitense in the city of the Popes.
“Difficulties should not be feared – says the bishop -, but faced. And more than standing, walking is fundamental in life’s events. Seeing this church reopened in the center of Viterbo is a sign, especially in these difficult times.”
Viterbo – Bishop Orazio Francesco Piazza
Together with the bishop, in the church of San Giacomo in via Saffi, the new headquarters of the Smom made available by the diocese, there are also the delegate of the order Roberto Saccarello and the Grand Prior of Rome, Roberto Viazzo. An order, SMOM, present as a delegation since 1996, until a few months ago in the old headquarters of Palazzo Santoro in Piazza del Teatro.
Viterbo – The inauguration of the new SMOM headquarters
Sitting to listen to the speeches were the president of the province Alessandro Romoli and the municipal councilor for the quality of urban spaces, Emanuele Aronne. With them the vicar of cultural heritage of the diocese, Don Massimiliano Balsi, parish priest of Santa Maria della Quercia, and the police chaplain, Don Flavio Valeri, priest of the church of the Sacred Heart al Pilastro.
Viterbo – SMOM delegate Roberto Saccarello
“We must not fear this time of ours – continues Piazza -, rather it should be considered a great opportunity to bring human quality into play. And to do this, active testimony and conscious responsibility are needed. Attention to the city and the territory must be manifested through clear signals. Participating in a charitable order like SMOM should not only be considered an honor, but above all a service. We must demonstrate what we say in gestures and responsibility must also become creativity, capable of charting new paths and grasping the cry for help that comes from our time.”
Viterbo – The inauguration of the new SMOM headquarters
“As Pope Francis says – adds the bishop – we need a church of exit, that is, a living and constant rooting in social contexts. Giving one’s concrete testimony where human poverty leaps before our eyes. The dignity of the poor comes from liberation from indifference and intolerance. Impatience with what provokes us and calls us to action. Believer action must not only fight evil, but make good grow. The more this operational area expands, the more evil and the negative, that is, the attack on the sense of humanity, are pushed to the margins.”
Viterbo – The Grand Prior of Rome of SMOM Roberto Viazzo
“Opening this office – underlines Saccarello – means maintaining one’s connection with Christian life. Today we celebrate a family celebration, faithful to the Melitense charism.”
Viterbo – The new headquarters of Smom in the church of San Giacomo in via Saffi
“The opening of a new headquarters – concludes Viazzo – is the opening of a new home, a door to the service of the poor and the infirm. Our testimony and our way of presenting ourselves.”
Daniele Camilli
April 29, 2024
