BISHOP JOHN PIGEON
Between the darkness of totalitarianism "The person at the center, always
died on 10 February 1959, Monsignor Giovanni Picci
oni, Bishop of Livorno 38 years. So next year will mark the 50 years since the death of the bishop who led our diocese for the longest period of time. A forty year full of dramatic events and radical social and political changes. Fascism is born and dies, set the monarchy and the Republic rises, sets out a contrast between the blocks. In the Church slowly soaring new enzymes that will lead to the Council.
Between the darkness of totalitarianism "The person at the center, always
died on 10 February 1959, Monsignor Giovanni Picci
oni, Bishop of Livorno 38 years. So next year will mark the 50 years since the death of the bishop who led our diocese for the longest period of time. A forty year full of dramatic events and radical social and political changes. Fascism is born and dies, set the monarchy and the Republic rises, sets out a contrast between the blocks. In the Church slowly soaring new enzymes that will lead to the Council. "In this time of the fall volcanic landslide - Don Renato Roberti wrote for the 30th anniversary of death - the figure of the Bishop Piccioni is even greater for the clarity and foresight of his choices, for that intuition prophetic that large have to discern what they really worth more than the demagoguery of tenders, in recognizing the humble bee that makes honey from the buzzing of wasps unnecessary. "
Much has been written (see bibliography) on this great figure of the bishop, very probably, it remains to be written. Here we have chosen to evoke a particular aspect of his episcopate and delicate, that relationship with Fascism and the Resistance Livorno Catholic in some ways emblematic of the whole style of Bishops. With the hope that it is only a first contribution to a broader re-enactment in the upcoming anniversary.
Gospel factory
There is a picture (below ) dated May 6, 1943 which is very suggestive. At first glance you would say that is a boxing match: an attentive audience crowded around the ring. But on that "ring" are the Bishop of Livorno and Pigeon John Don Roberto Angeli ; to the 'corner' two leaders of the OTO shipyard and below, a crowd of workers. A picture tells more than beating about the bush: to that Easter of '43 - shortly before the allied bombing in Livorno swept away buildings and hopes - Pigeons had wanted Don Angels along with other priests
arrange meetings for the workers. Result: more than 100 lectures in 18 factories Livorno, more than 10,000 workers achieved. 'S. Excellence - Angels Don wrote on "Fides" - spoke of Christ's love for the workers, the efforts made by the Church to give workers the freedom and justice and peace, pointed to the most recent Pope's words in defense of the proletariat against all forms of oppression and injustice. And had strong words against the war. "
Much has been written (see bibliography) on this great figure of the bishop, very probably, it remains to be written. Here we have chosen to evoke a particular aspect of his episcopate and delicate, that relationship with Fascism and the Resistance Livorno Catholic in some ways emblematic of the whole style of Bishops. With the hope that it is only a first contribution to a broader re-enactment in the upcoming anniversary.
Gospel factory
There is a picture (below ) dated May 6, 1943 which is very suggestive. At first glance you would say that is a boxing match: an attentive audience crowded around the ring. But on that "ring" are the Bishop of Livorno and Pigeon John Don Roberto Angeli ; to the 'corner' two leaders of the OTO shipyard and below, a crowd of workers. A picture tells more than beating about the bush: to that Easter of '43 - shortly before the allied bombing in Livorno swept away buildings and hopes - Pigeons had wanted Don Angels along with other priests
arrange meetings for the workers. Result: more than 100 lectures in 18 factories Livorno, more than 10,000 workers achieved. 'S. Excellence - Angels Don wrote on "Fides" - spoke of Christ's love for the workers, the efforts made by the Church to give workers the freedom and justice and peace, pointed to the most recent Pope's words in defense of the proletariat against all forms of oppression and injustice. And had strong words against the war. " Books illegal
Another snapshot. This time, obtained from a witness. We are in the middle of an
ni 30s, censorship fascist creeps its tentacles everywhere. But there's still Livorno certain books banned in the bishopric. Why? Simple, Ulysses Piccioni, brother of the bishop, is superintendent of Turin. It is therefore in charge of auditing the books. "Well - he said Harold Figara , partisan with Don Angelo - The superintendent of Turin when he saw that there was a political book, which was? If you took it away and sent him to his brother bishop and the bishop Piccioni passed the book Angels Don, you know? Was some form of clandestine activity. " That way, often reminded Don Angel, "were among the first in Italy to read the integral humanism, in the first draft in French, Jacques Maritain (photo). Never use from fascism.
Another snapshot. This time, obtained from a witness. We are in the middle of an
ni 30s, censorship fascist creeps its tentacles everywhere. But there's still Livorno certain books banned in the bishopric. Why? Simple, Ulysses Piccioni, brother of the bishop, is superintendent of Turin. It is therefore in charge of auditing the books. "Well - he said Harold Figara , partisan with Don Angelo - The superintendent of Turin when he saw that there was a political book, which was? If you took it away and sent him to his brother bishop and the bishop Piccioni passed the book Angels Don, you know? Was some form of clandestine activity. " That way, often reminded Don Angel, "were among the first in Italy to read the integral humanism, in the first draft in French, Jacques Maritain (photo). Never use from fascism. Arm in arm with Ajello?
Two episodes to say what? Piccioni a bishop who was publicly anti-fascist and "partisan"? No, you can not say. But of course the bishop Piccioni was among the artists most stringent in the defense of "his" Church in the scheme but in the inevitable compromises that the time required. When he arrived in '21 found a Livorno soaked in anti-clericalism and a seminar yet. Then he put all his energies to the revival of the diocese, "always acting with pride - Angels Don wrote - if it was to protect religious values \u200b\u200bor defended - against the powerful - the faithful entrusted to your pastoral care." And several episodes of the chronicles tell of the time.
Two episodes to say what? Piccioni a bishop who was publicly anti-fascist and "partisan"? No, you can not say. But of course the bishop Piccioni was among the artists most stringent in the defense of "his" Church in the scheme but in the inevitable compromises that the time required. When he arrived in '21 found a Livorno soaked in anti-clericalism and a seminar yet. Then he put all his energies to the revival of the diocese, "always acting with pride - Angels Don wrote - if it was to protect religious values \u200b\u200bor defended - against the powerful - the faithful entrusted to your pastoral care." And several episodes of the chronicles tell of the time.
to browse through the newspapers of the time but it seems that at least until 1939 between the Federal Livorno Umberto Ajello Piccioni and the bishop there was a "good agreement". Yes, the facade of a deal, because the objective was to provide a Christian education to the people. Beating Fascism where fascism had no weapons to fight : the formation of consciences. Pigeons had occasional moments of praise to Fascism, told his seminarians in an interview, but "you can not really say that we opened the pro-fascism. The scheme directs us to a mentality as opposed to a humanistic culture and the profound meaning of living and human dignity, beloved doctrine of the Church, the admiration of Christian knowledge. " Centered on the individual, always. Not the state.
In defense of anti-fascists
And then one last item. Decisive. Pigeon said that full support of the clergy blatantly hostile to fascism. He allowed the Cenacle of St. Giulia Don Angel, a
'public school anti-fascism. " Gave notice of this business on the Diocesan Bulletin, official organ of the diocese, careful not to advertise too much incriminating topics. As Cardinal Elia Dalla Costa of Florence with the anti-fascist La Pira (pictured right), so Piccioni knew what architect the antifascist Don Angeli. And - with great caution - and agreed to allow her to act. "Don was an Angels La Pira - once said an authoritative voice as that of Paolo Emilio Taviani - Monsignor Piccioni played the role of protector of all the discordant voices of dissent and Fascism: it was very clear in defending his priests. The Bishop stopped the fascists to the junk uncharacteristically harsh in respect of progressive Catholics. "
And then one last item. Decisive. Pigeon said that full support of the clergy blatantly hostile to fascism. He allowed the Cenacle of St. Giulia Don Angel, a
'public school anti-fascism. " Gave notice of this business on the Diocesan Bulletin, official organ of the diocese, careful not to advertise too much incriminating topics. As Cardinal Elia Dalla Costa of Florence with the anti-fascist La Pira (pictured right), so Piccioni knew what architect the antifascist Don Angeli. And - with great caution - and agreed to allow her to act. "Don was an Angels La Pira - once said an authoritative voice as that of Paolo Emilio Taviani - Monsignor Piccioni played the role of protector of all the discordant voices of dissent and Fascism: it was very clear in defending his priests. The Bishop stopped the fascists to the junk uncharacteristically harsh in respect of progressive Catholics. " Resistance: choice "theological"
And when most of the authorities crushed by bombs left Livorno, Pigeons remained in the city, Montenero, as defensor urbis. And there in the convent received Catholics with the band and partisan Committee for the Liberation of Livorno . "Monsignor Piccioni - Figara remembered - he knew that even the Catholics are active in front of Livorno illegal. Very often in a piecemeal, the Bishop received us in the Sanctuary of Montenero. We were young, inexperienced political things, and He willingly put at our disposal the baggage of their memories, reminiscences of his time, when he was fighting the political battle. " Pigeons, like a Don Murri or Albertario Don, a young priest in Pistoia had fought in the nascent Christian Democrats, had made the opposition councilor, helped organize the first Catholic Social Week of 1907.
And when most of the authorities crushed by bombs left Livorno, Pigeons remained in the city, Montenero, as defensor urbis. And there in the convent received Catholics with the band and partisan Committee for the Liberation of Livorno . "Monsignor Piccioni - Figara remembered - he knew that even the Catholics are active in front of Livorno illegal. Very often in a piecemeal, the Bishop received us in the Sanctuary of Montenero. We were young, inexperienced political things, and He willingly put at our disposal the baggage of their memories, reminiscences of his time, when he was fighting the political battle. " Pigeons, like a Don Murri or Albertario Don, a young priest in Pistoia had fought in the nascent Christian Democrats, had made the opposition councilor, helped organize the first Catholic Social Week of 1907.
That passion could not pass it to his people. "Taking part in the Resistance - Angels Don wrote - not for anti-fascist tradition (we had grown up with fascism), not for a sense of honor or an instinctive reaction to the violence (as could happen to many Italians especially military), nor to nationalist patriotism but suffered deep ideological conviction gained in the study : even more so because it seemed that there was no other way to witness to the Gospel and live in accord with our Christianity. " "Being anti-Nazi and anti-fascists appeared clearly as a Christian need." The choice of the Resistance "was not so much a choice but rather moral and patriotic - sometimes - theological." Pigeons could never prevent this?
short bio
Monsignor Giovanni Piccioni ( pictured with Archbishop Urban left the Angels in 1951 and Don ) was born in Longone Sabino (Rieti) May 30, 1876. He studied in Pistoia, where he was ordained priest 18 December 1898. He graduated in law Apollinare of Rome. He was professor of Canon Law and theology at the Seminary of Pistoia. He taught Latin and greek at the Royal High School of Pistoia. He occupied himself intensely the social movement of Catholic and Christian . He led the Catholic weekly "The Defense." He participated in the battles of the nascent democracy by contributing to the flourishing of Christian Speakers Rural Pistoia and representing the territory for six years as a Catholic city councilor. In 1909 he was appointed Canon of the Cathedral of Pistoia, and then Vicar General of the Diocese . On July 24, 1921 was elected Bishop of Livorno. From 1924 to 1933 was also Bishop of the Diocese of Massa Marittima and Populonia. He was appointed by the Holy Father in view of its great merits, Count Romano, Assistant and Domestic Prelate to the Papal Throne. Since 1955, when years and the great pastoral labors began to sap his energy, was assisted in the ministry by the Administrator Apostolic, Monsignor Andrea Pangrazio. He died at Leghorn on February 10, 1959 .
Minimum Bibliography
John Piccioni, a leading figure in the history of Livorno in its civil aspects and moral higher , Supplement paragraph 12 of the Diocesan Bulletin, Livorno, Tip. Star of the Sea, 1977
L. Bientinesi, A priest on the run, Roma, Edizioni Lavoro, 1995
G. THE HIGHER, Don Roberto Angeli, bold interpreter of Christian social thought. A priest from Livorno Resistance and Reconstruction, Thesis, University of Pisa, Faculty of Political Science, academic year 2006-2007
L. Litrico, the consensus was to disillusionment, the ministry of Msgr. Pigeon John, Bishop of Livorno, in the years of the regime (1929-1940), in "Oecumenitas Civitas' Notebook II (2002)
E. NEVER, Bishops in Livorno and their teaching , Part V, by the Archives Diocese of Livorno, Editasca, 2004
A. Zarganar, Bishop G. Piccioni Bishop of Livorno (1921-1959), in further broadened, by A. Tintori, Florence, Pagnini, 1997
( published in "The Week - Toscana Oggi" of February 24, 2008)
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