A Greek church, an atmosphere of deep emotion and a shared sense of collective participation. Last night, the parish of Maria SS.ma del Buon Rimedio di Scampia was transformed into a place of memory and rebirth, hosting the presentation of the book “When John Paul II brought the world to Scampia. History of the encounter between a Saint and the periphery”, written by the journalist Massimo Iaquinangelo and the pastor Fr Alessandro Gargiulo, published by Rogiosi who enjoys the preface of Cardinal Domenico Battaglia, Archbishop of Naples, and the postface of Prof. Ulderico Parente, historian of the Church.
The event, long awaited by the district and introduced by the parish priest himself, saw the participation of prominent figures such as Monsignor Antonio Di Donna, bishop of Acerra and president of the Episcopal Conference Campana, the prefect of Naples Michele Di Bari, the editor Rosario Bianco and Domenico Falco, vice president of the Order of Journalists of Campania, who moderated the comparison. There are also numerous priests, institutional representatives and citizens, a symbol of how much this encounter with John Paul II in 1990 has profoundly engraved on the memory and identity of Scampia.
During the evening, Monsignor Di Donna shared a personal memory, recalling the experience lived in person that historical day: “It is a text that wanted us – he said – because it returns to the collective memory not only the chronicle of an event, but the deep sense of a rebirth. Scampia has never surrendered, crossed by pain and hope. This book tells the path of a community that has been able to rise, thanks to the faith and commitment of the new generations”.
Also the prefect Michele Di Bari has emphasized how that visit has represented a turning point still current: “The historic meeting traced a road that never stopped. The joint action of the State and the Church must continue, each respecting its responsibilities, to overcome fragility and promote a real ransom. Scampia is no longer the symbol of degradation, but a laboratory of dignity and rebirth”.
The editorial and civil value of the volume was highlighted by the editor Rosario Bianco, who defined the book “a fundamental testimony to understand how the message of John Paul II is still alive and capable of nourishing hope, especially in the peripheries”.
Mimmo Falco, Vice-President of the Order of Journalists, also expressed gratitude to the authors, emphasizing that “this book is an act of love for Scampia and the peripheries of the world. It is a text of hope that highlights the ability to transform a community, offering a lesson of courage and civil faith”.
One of the most touching moments was Fr. Alessandro Gargiulo’s intervention, co-author of the volume, which highlighted the human and pastoral aspect of John Paul II’s message: “Many things have been written about Scampia, but this book is born to tell the responsibility and hope of a neighborhood that wants to change.”.
The memory of Massimo Iaquinangelo inflames the atmosphere, recalling the historic papal visit: «From that moment – he recalled – institutions could no longer ignore the problem of Scampia. From there a path of change was born which led, over time, to the visit of three Presidents of the Republic and, in 2015, to Pope Francis. Today, the fruits of that seed of hope are under the eyes of all”.
The event ended with a projection of vintage images and a moment of prayer, led by Monsignor Di Donna, who entrusted the neighborhood to Our Lady, taking back the gesture made by John Paul II during his visit. An appeal to continue on the path of faith and civil commitment, with a hint also to the forthcoming opening of the beatification process of Fr Vittorio Siciliani, a figure of spiritual reference for the community.
At the end of the evening, Archbishop emeritus of Naples, Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe, addressed a message of encouragement to the community, inviting everyone to keep alive the memory and hope. Long applause and emotion have concluded the event, testimony of a feeling that unites the neighborhood and nourishes the will to look forward, with the certainty that hope, even in the outskirts, can sprout strong and lasting.
To find out more about the historic coming of St. John Paul II in Scampia, the book can be purchased at this link.
L’articolo Scampia gathers in a moment of memory for the presentation of the book on John Paul II proviene da IlNewyorkese.
