The desire to exchange Easter greetings was an opportunity for reflection, dialogue and discussion in search of a path that embraces the entire territory towards the common good. With the aim of being collaborative, regardless of political colour, the bishop of Oppido Mamertina-Palmi, Msgr. Giuseppe Alberti invited and met the administrators of the territories of the diocese yesterday in the Laity Center of Gioia Tauro.
The bishop, who had already met the mayors of the area in December on the day of his entry into the diocese, offered a summary of the document that the Calabrian Episcopal Conference published this week entitled: “National dis-unity and the concerns of the Churches of Calabria: Food for thought”, in which he expresses profound concerns regarding the current debate on differentiated autonomy. The Calabrian bishops highlight how this project, if completed, “will give institutional form to the territorial selfishness of the richest part of the country, amplifying and crystallizing the already existing territorial gaps, with very serious damage to the most vulnerable and defenseless people”. This position arises from the concern that the worsening of the North-South divide could damage the social cohesion and collective well-being of the nation.
In contrast to these trends, the bishops propose a vision of harmonious growth for the entire national territory. They underline that “the path to follow is instead the one that passes through the recognition of differences and the valorisation of each particular reality, especially the most peripheral and/or internal areas”. This approach recalls the importance of an inclusive policy that promotes equity and solidarity between the different regions of the country.
Bishop Alberti, retracing some passages of the document, highlighted the responsibility of the commitment to collaboration with the various subjects of the territory and with other administrations, inviting “a collective reflection on the importance of building a more just and cohesive society, underlining the need to promote forms of democratic mobilization that link solidarity and justice”.
Before giving the floor to the mayors who, in a climate of serene sharing, expressed their availability for further discussions, Msgr. Alberti presented his project, still being defined, for a day on the environment to be held in September, with the aim of promoting a change of direction from the culture of indifference to active participation.
