In the past few hours the bishops of Calabria met for the ordinary spring session of the CEC in its headquarters, at the “S. Pius The bishops of Calabria, on the eve of the European elections, invited all Christians, especially young people, to vote, reacting to the temptation of resignation and abstentionism and operationally dreaming together of a Europe that is a common home of justice and peace .
The bishops’ reflection focused on some pastoral themes that are particularly close to their hearts: the regional penitentiary pastoral care, presented by the regional director, Don Francesco Faillace, of the diocese of Cassano all’Jonio, who, in addition to being a teacher of Catholic Religion at the ITS of Trebisacce, is chaplain in the Castrovillari prison, and by Sister Nicoletta Vessoni of the Sisters of the Poverelle, who has dedicated her pastoral care for many years at the “Ugo Caridi” prison in Catanzaro.
The bishops shared with great participation and emotion their concern for the human and spiritual care of prisoners, listening to the touching stories of pain and desire for redemption, expressing concern for the very delicate situation of prisons, and ensuring closeness and desire for collaboration regarding the difficult civil integration of those who have served their sentence and hoping that on the occasion of the next Jubilee the Christian community will be closer to those who are serving their sentence.
The prelates received a visit from HE Monsignor Carlo Roberto Redaelli, archbishop of Gorizia and president of Caritas Italiana, who presented the results of an investigation into the life of Caritas in Calabria, reiterated its exquisitely pastoral nature, underlining with satisfaction the notable strengths present in Calabria and the prospects for the future. The bishops expressed gratitude for the visit and for the precious indications that emerged.
A dialogue was then started regarding popular piety, a theme which demonstrated its complexity and the need for ever greater in-depth analysis and which requires shared choices for all dioceses for the purpose of greater valorisation and purification.
Finally, the bishops confirmed their determination to continue with the establishment of a single Theological Seminary, starting in the next academic year, supported by all the dioceses, while Reggio Calabria and Cosenza will maintain two formative communities for philosophical studies. Professor Don Francesco Asti, dean of the Pontifical Theological Faculty of Southern Italy, HE Mons. Ignazio Sanna, member of the Episcopal Commission for the doctrine of the faith, proclamation and catechesis of the CEI, illustrated the project of the new Theological Institute, which will be realized soon.
