10 years ago, for the first time in Church history, a man killed by the Italian Mafia was beatified. His name was Fr. Pino Puglisi and he served in the Mafia heavy neighborhoods of Palermo. He was murdered in 1993, but his work continues with the center he founded.
MAURIZIO ARTALE
President, Our Father Welcome Center
Technically, Father Puglisi did nothing. He didn't build a school. He didn't rebuild a square. He didn't make an anti-violence center. He didn't make a center for minors or for the elderly. All these things came into being after Puglisi's murder. Thanks to his sacrifice, the Center, continuing his work, accomplished all these things.
But he did a few more things than us. He gave hope to the citizens of Brancaccio by telling them be careful and that everyone has a chance because God accepts everyone.
Fr. Puglisi was known for speaking out against the Mafia. He would encourage his parishioners to stand up for their rights. But he also avoided getting involved with the Mafia himself—refusing to take donations for the reconstruction of the parish church.
In 2018, during a visit to Palermo, Pope Francis celebrated Mass in honor of the 25th anniversary of Puglisi's death. He reminded everyone present of the witness the Italian priest gave through his everyday life.
POPE FRANCIS
September 17, 2018
You cannot believe in God and be in the mafia. One who is a mafioso does not live as a Christian, because he blasphemes with his life against the name of God-love.
Therefore to the mafiosi I say: change, brothers and sisters! Stop thinking about yourself and your money.
To mark the 30th anniversary this year, the Pope sent a letter to the Archdiocese of Palermo. In it, he reminds everyone of Fr. Puglisi's words: "If each of us does something, then we can do a lot."
MAURIZIO ARTALE
President, Centro di Accoglienza Padre Nostro
The time has come, for those who have not done so before, to follow in the footsteps of Fr. Puglisi. So not just idle talk. The Pope takes up Fr. Puglisi's phrase quoting a song. Because if we don't do like him, it's just words, words, words.
Recognizing the dangerous nature of his work, Fr. Puglisi greeted his murderer with a smile and said, “I expected that.” 3 decades after his death, this priest who fought against the Mafia could one day be a saint.
KG
