IN FRONT OF THE CHURCH OF LIVORNO
to the "laws of shame"
racial laws. 70 years ago, the promulgation of legislation razzialeIl Bishop Piccioni, "careful with the words, actions in the reckless" One evening in the early '40s. In a wide Littorio, a stone's throw from the Duomo, the arch of the hall of the Magistrate S. Giulia is crammed into every type of places. College students, officers of the Naval Academy, some workers: all attracted to the magnetic charisma of the priest face sharp. Don Roberto Angeli sits quietly at the table and start talking : "God created man, not man Aryan." A shiver runs down the backs of students. You crazy? In the living room for sure hide the agents of the fascist police: why do not intervene? Angels Don goes on: " We have seen the mistakes that ruin humanity and which led to this terrible war . We also studied the Church's thinking about it. Because it is good to get to know the facts and ideas, today I will read a few pages written by Hitler and the most important theorist of Nazism, Rosenberg. "
In the city say that the Last Supper S. Giulia is "the only public school of social anti-fascist doctrines." It is said that in some canonical pulling up the little children "rebels": Saturday fascist black shirts, greeting the Duce ... there is someone who does not believe it. The fascists know it, in front of churches often sing canzonacce blasphemous: "The priests and monks, and Jesuits are all pieces of jail ...." Then: "Alarms, we are fascists, communists of terror, fear of the Papists." Once set fire to the door of the bishop, have devastated the offices of AC; ripped the badges from the breasts.
Angels Don knows - he's filed by the police among the 'subversive', he helps the Jews, he speaks against the Duce in the face to the sun - and continues the lesson "very clear from these quotes, you can understand why the world today suffer the most terrible and bloody tragedy of his story. They are songs that need no comment. "
Exactly 70 years ago, the fascist government promulgated the "laws of
her shame." Remembrance Day on 27 January (see program below) will be largely dedicated to not forget this sad anniversary. But the Church as Livorno reacted to the racial laws? That is certainly just remembered an episode of the most emblematic to tell us what happened in the diocese: Angels Don and his team of Fuci acted openly and across cultural - and it was quite common in Catholic circles at the time - both at the operational . The monasteries became the canonical and the safest haven for dozens of Jews. Less known are other news about those days. To come to the aid of the valuable contribution of Andrea Zargani that in his research recently published and soon to be published in another reveals previously unknown details.
A meeting "confidential"
What was the conduct of such Bishop John Piccioni ? Zargani gives a testimony of Don Angel: "In the aftermath of anti-Jewish laws in December 1938 - says the priest of the Gospel in the camps - Monsignor Piccioni wanted to bring together on a confidential basis with some of the younger priests the Vicar General and the leaders of the Catholic Diocese, to compare them with a line of understanding. " strategy pigeons did not differ from that of Pope Pius XII : careful with the words, bold in their actions. Angels Don says that despite the Office of the Bishop "was respected by the regime, the fascist feared, however, a direct interference of the church in matters of social morality. He a friend of many Jews of the city, had distinguished himself for tolerance and kindness, anticipating - we can now say - the teachings of Vatican II. "
Preti daring, lay under threat
Bishop particularly important reference, "We told - still don Angels - which was already studded with official reports and notifications regarding the sermons of some pastors boldest, including Don Angelo S. Angioni Antonio, Don Francisco Olivari of Ardenza, Don Julius Antignano Melani, Don Carlo Degrees of Castiglioncello, the Giuseppe Bardi canon theologian of the Cathedral Chapter and experienced Bible scholar, and even his father Giovanni Battista Saglietto , pastor of St. Ferdinand the Trinitarians, who during his homily for the Immaculata, 1938, in a moment of impulse said, "And if someone does not want more Jews in the city, then hide them in the cellar, along with our fishing boats. " The bishop was also concerned that some leaders of associations were threatened by the fascist police including the same Cecioni and Francesco Casini tertile of San Vincenzo de 'Paoli. "
Piccioni, "wise caution,"
"She was chosen the path of prudence. Wise caution! Only in this way could be saved and protected the rights of the human person. And in this pitch clergy and lay people more responsible efforts were made in a quiet but fruitful work of charity. Even today many Jews are brothers remember this. " The testimony of Erminia Cremoni - beacon of strength of Catholic Women Livorno - adds other details of that meeting, "Piccioni was well aware that many Catholic priests and even some Livorno (but few) were compliant to the addresses of the system, either through ignorance Look for opportunities, and therefore had to adopt a very cautious attitude to the impact of new anti-Jewish laws, to reach the consciences of Catholics more prone to this sensitivity of the Gospel. "
Baptisms "hidden"
"It was decided - continues Cremoni - of however, encourage collaboration with the parish and other charitable organizations for giving moral and material aid to Jews in relation to what was happening. First, the certification of baptisms. I myself did godmother of baptism and confirmation to some young Jewish , both of my parish than others, thanks to the ingenuity of some priests who tried to save many lives, inventing of baptisms. " Among these priests was Father Amedeo Tintori: Zargani second, in the curia, just under the direct supervision of the Registrar Don Tintori, was created an office to collect the names of catechumens and the needy students who went to the Jewish religion Catholic faith. Even so, diocese, 70 years ago helped their Jewish brothers.
Angels Don knows - he's filed by the police among the 'subversive', he helps the Jews, he speaks against the Duce in the face to the sun - and continues the lesson "very clear from these quotes, you can understand why the world today suffer the most terrible and bloody tragedy of his story. They are songs that need no comment. "
Exactly 70 years ago, the fascist government promulgated the "laws of
her shame." Remembrance Day on 27 January (see program below) will be largely dedicated to not forget this sad anniversary. But the Church as Livorno reacted to the racial laws? That is certainly just remembered an episode of the most emblematic to tell us what happened in the diocese: Angels Don and his team of Fuci acted openly and across cultural - and it was quite common in Catholic circles at the time - both at the operational . The monasteries became the canonical and the safest haven for dozens of Jews. Less known are other news about those days. To come to the aid of the valuable contribution of Andrea Zargani that in his research recently published and soon to be published in another reveals previously unknown details. A meeting "confidential"
What was the conduct of such Bishop John Piccioni ? Zargani gives a testimony of Don Angel: "In the aftermath of anti-Jewish laws in December 1938 - says the priest of the Gospel in the camps - Monsignor Piccioni wanted to bring together on a confidential basis with some of the younger priests the Vicar General and the leaders of the Catholic Diocese, to compare them with a line of understanding. " strategy pigeons did not differ from that of Pope Pius XII : careful with the words, bold in their actions. Angels Don says that despite the Office of the Bishop "was respected by the regime, the fascist feared, however, a direct interference of the church in matters of social morality. He a friend of many Jews of the city, had distinguished himself for tolerance and kindness, anticipating - we can now say - the teachings of Vatican II. "
Preti daring, lay under threat
Bishop particularly important reference, "We told - still don Angels - which was already studded with official reports and notifications regarding the sermons of some pastors boldest, including Don Angelo S. Angioni Antonio, Don Francisco Olivari of Ardenza, Don Julius Antignano Melani, Don Carlo Degrees of Castiglioncello, the Giuseppe Bardi canon theologian of the Cathedral Chapter and experienced Bible scholar, and even his father Giovanni Battista Saglietto , pastor of St. Ferdinand the Trinitarians, who during his homily for the Immaculata, 1938, in a moment of impulse said, "And if someone does not want more Jews in the city, then hide them in the cellar, along with our fishing boats. " The bishop was also concerned that some leaders of associations were threatened by the fascist police including the same Cecioni and Francesco Casini tertile of San Vincenzo de 'Paoli. " Piccioni, "wise caution,"
"She was chosen the path of prudence. Wise caution! Only in this way could be saved and protected the rights of the human person. And in this pitch clergy and lay people more responsible efforts were made in a quiet but fruitful work of charity. Even today many Jews are brothers remember this. " The testimony of Erminia Cremoni - beacon of strength of Catholic Women Livorno - adds other details of that meeting, "Piccioni was well aware that many Catholic priests and even some Livorno (but few) were compliant to the addresses of the system, either through ignorance Look for opportunities, and therefore had to adopt a very cautious attitude to the impact of new anti-Jewish laws, to reach the consciences of Catholics more prone to this sensitivity of the Gospel. "
Baptisms "hidden"
"It was decided - continues Cremoni - of however, encourage collaboration with the parish and other charitable organizations for giving moral and material aid to Jews in relation to what was happening. First, the certification of baptisms. I myself did godmother of baptism and confirmation to some young Jewish , both of my parish than others, thanks to the ingenuity of some priests who tried to save many lives, inventing of baptisms. " Among these priests was Father Amedeo Tintori: Zargani second, in the curia, just under the direct supervision of the Registrar Don Tintori, was created an office to collect the names of catechumens and the needy students who went to the Jewish religion Catholic faith. Even so, diocese, 70 years ago helped their Jewish brothers.
CATHOLIC-JEWISH "Livorno, a republic apart"
Between September and November 1938 with the application systematic racial legislation fascism collapsed nell'abominio of racism more sinister: the 50,000 Italian Jews and more of an ax fell senseless discrimination. In the city's Jewish community - "one of the national centers of Judaism" and fifth in terms of numbers in Italy after Rome, Milan, Trieste and Turin - was hit heavily, basted the shameful media campaign by the "Telegraph" in support of his anti-Semitic propaganda: of some 2,000 Jews were deported from Livorno it 121, still others had their lives turned upside down. If Livorno Elio Toaff - the historic meeting of the chief rabbi of Rome John Paul II in 1986 with the synagogue - claimed that the Catholic-Jewish relationship.
Between September and November 1938 with the application systematic racial legislation fascism collapsed nell'abominio of racism more sinister: the 50,000 Italian Jews and more of an ax fell senseless discrimination. In the city's Jewish community - "one of the national centers of Judaism" and fifth in terms of numbers in Italy after Rome, Milan, Trieste and Turin - was hit heavily, basted the shameful media campaign by the "Telegraph" in support of his anti-Semitic propaganda: of some 2,000 Jews were deported from Livorno it 121, still others had their lives turned upside down. If Livorno Elio Toaff - the historic meeting of the chief rabbi of Rome John Paul II in 1986 with the synagogue - claimed that the Catholic-Jewish relationship. "Livorno has always been a separate republic," he was absolutely right. His father Alfredo fact in those years of discrimination was the head of the Jewish community and enjoyed good relations with the bishop Piccioni as we have seen such clear provisions for assistance to "non-Aryans." It would be impossible to recount here all the episodes and the names of those who distinguished himself in helping the Jews. " was a general and spontaneous uprising of the Church in its entirety - Don wrote Angels - uprising that constituted a clear choice, based on essential principles." One need only give an example for all narrated by Fogolari. "Don Giovanni Nardini, - says in his book - then a parish priest in Rosignano Marittimo was an incredible courage and activity. Protected and hid Jews and sought after, broke in several times at the command of German General Kesselring to save hostages and to release men rounded up. His presence of mind and courage earned him deported to Germany to save the 350 employees of Solvay. He established an information center, in contact with the Vatican, which played an immense task and effective. "
Bibliography:
R. ANGELS Gospel in the camps: a priest in the Resistance , Livorno, Tip. 'Star of the Sea ", 2007
Fogolari ML, Livorno 1938-1945, the Catholic Church and the Jewish community , Livorno, Tip. Tasca, 1999
Days of Memory, 2001-2004 , by the Province of Livorno, Pontedera, 2004
A. Zarganar, cultural vitality of associations and ecclesial service Catholic Livorno, Italian unification in the years after World War II in History of the Diocese of Livorno (1806-2006). Themes and figures of the Church of Livorno, edited by R. Burigana and C. Barovero, Vol II, Livorno, Editasca, 2007
A. Zarganar, renewed consciousness. Religious identity and cultural commitment of the laity and labronico of Catholic Diocesan racial laws in the liberation 1938-1945, "Quaderni della Labronica," Studies and Texts, 7, Livorno, 2007
Bibliography:
R. ANGELS Gospel in the camps: a priest in the Resistance , Livorno, Tip. 'Star of the Sea ", 2007
Fogolari ML, Livorno 1938-1945, the Catholic Church and the Jewish community , Livorno, Tip. Tasca, 1999
Days of Memory, 2001-2004 , by the Province of Livorno, Pontedera, 2004
A. Zarganar, cultural vitality of associations and ecclesial service Catholic Livorno, Italian unification in the years after World War II in History of the Diocese of Livorno (1806-2006). Themes and figures of the Church of Livorno, edited by R. Burigana and C. Barovero, Vol II, Livorno, Editasca, 2007
A. Zarganar, renewed consciousness. Religious identity and cultural commitment of the laity and labronico of Catholic Diocesan racial laws in the liberation 1938-1945, "Quaderni della Labronica," Studies and Texts, 7, Livorno, 2007
the day dedicated to the memory of the devastating Allied bombing of Livorno on May 28, 1943 the mixture of past and this is very strong. Besides the testimony of the Community of St. Barankitse Giles wanted to remember, not surprisingly, the figure of Don Roberto Angeli . Their stories are both very different and very similar. As also the Angel of Burundi Angels Don was able to transform the terrible hell of an experience of inennarabile pain and suffering as that of the Nazi concentration camps on a path toward hope. And he did it by sharing their children suffer most from the ravages of war. 
