It’s official: Monsignor Luigi Moretti he is the new metropolitan archbishop of Salerno, Campagna and Acerno. It happens to Monsignor Gerardo Pierro, who resigned after having reached the age limit, who leaves after 18 years marked by bitter controversies, complaints and scandals, some of which, such as that of the Angellara Home, the former summer camp transformed into a hotel with regional funds, are transformed into long and intricate legal proceedings. Moretti, nominated by Pope Benedict XVI, he comes from Rieti, was auxiliary bishop of Rome for years and is unable to immediately endear himself to the people of Salerno who perceive him more as a “commissioner”, called to bring order to the Salerno church devoured by disagreements and rivalries, than as a high prelate. But the most critical and difficult moment for the episcopate coincides with the Feast of Saint Matthew 2014 when Monsignor Moretti, tired of the secularist and profane drift of the procession, with the politicians always in great dress behind the statue of the patron saint to receive applause, decides to abolish the “bowing” of the statues in the procession and the entry of the saint’s vessel into the atrium of the Municipality of Salerno in addition to the fireworks display.
The first to vehemently protest what they consider the cancellation of real traditions are the bearers of the statues who, regardless of the prohibitions, enter the Palace anyway. Not only that, they stand up for the prelate volleys of whistles during the stops of the statues and even, upon returning, at the entrance to the Cathedral, Moretti was unable even to give the blessing for the protest staged by some people gathered in the square.
The rift between the bishop and the bearers dragged on in court with a trial in which they were convicted at first instance 18 people, including faithful and porters, accused of disturbing a religious function and insulting a minister of religion. On 18 December 2018, after a considered decision, Moretti announced the resignation as archbishop of Salerno for health reasons, suffering first from labyrinthitis and then from Menière’s syndrome which causes loss of balance and sudden fainting. As archbishop emeritus he continues to liveand in Salerno, in the parish of San Giuseppe the Worker.
