Chaplain to Italian marines: We must learn from the charity of Indian fishermen
Rome (AsiaNews) - On 15 February, two Indian fishermen were
killed in an incident involving the Italian Enrica Lexie tanker, off the
coast of Kerala. From the outset, the only suspects - subsequently formerly charged
- are Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore
Girone, of the San Marco Battalion of Fusiliers, on board
the tanker as security guards. According to the Italian defense forces, the
shots were fired after the Indian vessel was mistaken for pirates. Arrested on
February 19 last, the two marines remained in judicial custody for 90 days.
Granted bail, they are currently in a hotel in Kochi awaiting the hearing for
the trial, scheduled for 17 July. Since the incident, the case has seen two
contrasting aspects. The diplomatic process, which has alternated between moments
of detente and tension because of the irreconcilable positions between New
Delhi and Rome (exact location of the accident, legal liability of a case) and the
snail's pace of the Indian Justice system. The other, the more human aspect:
the families of fishermen killed, in search of justice but not at all costs,
and the entire Catholic community of fishermen. AsiaNews spoke to Fr. Giuseppe
Faraci, Comboni missionary and military chaplain, who has personally followed
the two Marines and the whole affair.
Fr. Faraci, how did your adventure in
India begin?
I left after a call from Msgr. Pelvis Vincent, Military Ordinary Archbishop for
Italy. Knowing him, I felt and understood the gravity of his voice. He said:
"We must think of these two dear boys." And I left. When I arrived
the first time, I began with daily visits to the prison. It was my first and
most important duty. But soon it became a question of love, no longer work.
How was the meeting with the families of
the murdered fishermen?
Shortly after my arrival, I had to contact the families of the victims, and it
was not easy. I did not have names, surnames, addresses, I had no bearings.
Then, a series of "miraculous" circumstances allowed me to know both
the family of Jelestein, which lives in Kerala, and Ajesh Binki, in Tamil Nadu.
I was greeted immediately with immense love and holiness, total dignity. A
wonderful feeling. I returned many times, and slowly created a relationship of
mutual prayer and affection. I remember Dhoramma [Jelestein's widow ed] telling
me "Bring them our heartfelt greetings", "Let us pray for them,
so they can return to their loved ones."
From the beginning, I have placed myself at the service of four families,
rather than two. This has been my strength. Because those who are left behind
are in the greatest pain: those in India who have lost a father or brother, those
in Italy who do not know when they will be able to embrace their loved ones
again. Seeing a mother - any mother - who hugs you, because you're taking care
of her children as if they were your own, gives you a sense of your work and
your mission.
What are your impressions of the situation
in India?
Immediately after the accident, there was a strong reaction in Kerala. The
Church here is large, so the parishioners are all fishermen, the community
"affected" by the affair. Their reaction was initially a bit blinded,
if some clergy expressed "strong" concepts, the faithful followed them.
And that goes for the reactions of the international community and in Italy: if
a figure of authority said something about the situation, he was taken at his
word. I went, I introduced myself: I have found open doors, invitations to
dinner, I had to make "attempts". Maybe they understood that a good
Christian seeks justice, not revenge, he seeks the reasons and not his "personal"
reasons. I could see this: that in the community affected by the events, there
is no form of resentment, hatred, revenge, a quest for justice at all costs. I
encountered a very religious people with a deep rooted faith; very open,
tolerant people, but tolerance of acceptance. I feel immense gratitude for
having experienced the whole affair.
In this context, what can you do for the
victims' families?
The Military Ordinariate in Italy has made a commitment to help the family ensure
their children's education. One of Jelestein's sons is now going to study
engineering in college, we will be there to help him along the way. In the case
of Ajesh Binki, we helped one of the two sisters to find a college 20 km from
home, so that she can see her sister and family at the weekend's, without
feeling uprooted and disembodied from her history and memories. They had
already lost both parents seven years ago, and the young man took care of his
sisters in every aspect.
What kind of relationship have you
established with the local church?
The work of the bishop and priests among the fishing community was crucial. Fr.
Stephen Kulakkayathil [responsible for the pastoral care of the diocese of
Quilon, ed] helped me to get to know this whole world. Once, it was my first
visit to India, a group of fishermen called me to bless their boat, called
Thank You Jesus. There I realized that I was entering a new dimension: I was
Italian, they knew I was a military chaplain, they had a thousand reasons to be
resentful, locked in their grief, and instead sought a contact. The life of a
fisherman in India is made of immense sacrifices, and they must always be able
to look beyond difficulties. I had to bow before the goodness of the people of
India. This is perhaps the best thing: the pain that we all feel unites us in
looking beyond, together.
Fr. Faraci, how do you think this case
will end? The marines risk a murder conviction ...
I have no idea. As a Comboni I would say that our life is blessed by its crosses,
that our crosses are the foundation of our every success. God's actions are
born and grow at the foot of the cross. I was never allowed to play the judge. Obviously
I have an idea, but I went there as a priest, and then became part of a family.
My only desire is to help and encourage these people to look forward, without
losing hope. From a matter of pain and death it is becoming a matter of love. A
love that embraces families of different fronts: people talk about possible
murderers and victims, Indians and Italians; entirely different cultural
contexts. Before returning, I told the boys [the Marines - ed]: "When you
come back to Italy, you two will have to be the first to continue to help these
families. Otherwise we have learned nothing from this experience." Not out
of a sense of a duty, not out of gratitude, not for compensation, but our call
to charity.
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