On his knees, pope calls on Mafiosi to convert
Rome (AsiaNews) - In an address to the men and women of the mafia, the Holy Father said, "Please, change your life. Convert! Stop doing evil! Our prayers are for you: Convert! I am asking you this on my knees. This is for your own good. You current life cannot give you any pleasure. It cannot give you any joy. It cannot give you any happiness."
The pope made his appeal this evening at St Gregory VII Church in Rome at a prayer vigil, ahead of tomorrow's National Memorial Day for the Victims of Mafia Violence.
Chaired by Fr Luigi Ciotti, the meeting was organised by the Libera Foundation, an association that represents the families of mafia victims.
The event was held today for a good reason: tomorrow is Italy's 19th National Memorial Day, a time to commemorate the victims of the mafia. About 700 people met at St Gregory VII Church, representing the 15,000 or so relatives of mafia victims.
After a brief welcome speech by Fr Ciotti, who thanked the pope for his presence, and reminded everyone that "the mafia kills hope, offends life," the names of 842 innocent victims were read. After that, the Pope said:
"Dear brothers and sisters, thank you for stopping in Rome. This gives me the opportunity to meet you before the vigil and the Memorial Day events that you will attend tonight and tomorrow in Latina (a town south of Rome). My thanks go to Fr Luigi Ciotti, his aides and the Franciscan Fathers of this parish. Greetings also for the bishop of Latina, Mgr Crociata, who is here with us.
"I feel like sharing with you a certain hope. Let the idea of responsibility slowly win against corruption. Everywhere in the world." Such victory "must start within, in our minds. From such hope, let us start to heal, heal our behaviour, our relations, our choices, our social fabric, so that justice can find room, expand and set roots in lieu of iniquity.
"I know that such hope is strong in you. Let me share it with you. Even though I will not be able to join you in person on this journey, one that requires tenacity and perseverance, let me say that I shall be with you in spirit tonight and tomorrow in Latina.
"I especially want to express my sympathy to those of you who lost a loved one to mafia violence. I thank you for bearing witness, for you did not shut out the world but chose instead to come out into the open, and were able to tell your story of pain and hope. This is very important, especially for young people.
"I join you wholeheartedly to pray for all the victims of the mafia. Just a few days ago, near Taranto, a merciless crime was committed even against a child. Let us therefore pray together, every one of us, asking for the strength to move forward. Let us pray so that we are not discouraged, but can instead continue to fight against corruption.
"I feel that I cannot conclude without saying a word to those who are not here today, i.e. the men and women of the mafia. Please, change your life. Convert! Stop doing evil! We are praying for you - Convert! I am asking you this on my knees. This is for your own good. You current life cannot give you any pleasure. It cannot give you any joy. It cannot give you any happiness.
"The power and money that you might now have, which comes from dirty dealings and mafia crimes, is stained with blood. This power is dripping in blood. You will not be able to take it with you in the next life. Convert! There is still time before you go to hell. This is what awaits you if you continue along this path. You too had a father, and a mother. Think about them, cry a little and convert!
"Let us pray together to our Mother Mary, that she may help us (standing, the congregation recited a Hail Mary)."
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07/02/2019 17:28
