Pope Francis Remembers Fr Joseph Diana, a Priest Killed by the Mafia, saying Take up his "spiritual legacy to become, in turn, artisans of peace."
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Pope Francis has praised the life and testimony of Italian Father Joseph Diana, a parish priest thirty years after he was gunned down in Casal di Principe, near Naples, by hitmen for his vocal opposition to the Camorra, the Neapolitan mafia, and his efforts to save youth from organized crime.
LETTER OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS
ON THE OCCASION OF THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY
OF THE KILLING OF Fr Joseph Diana
To Dear Brother
Mons. Angelo SPINILLO
Bishop of Aversa
The memory of the tragic event that took place thirty years ago, when Fr Joseph Diana, parish priest of San Nicola di Bari in Casal di Principe, on the morning of 19 March 1994, was barbarously killed, arouses emotion in the hearts of those who knew and loved him as well as gratitude to God the Father for having given the Church this "good and faithful servant" (Mt 25.14), who worked prophetically by descending into the existential desert of a people so dear to him, served and defended to the point of sacrificing their own existence .
Mons. Angelo SPINILLO
Bishop of Aversa
The memory of the tragic event that took place thirty years ago, when Fr Joseph Diana, parish priest of San Nicola di Bari in Casal di Principe, on the morning of 19 March 1994, was barbarously killed, arouses emotion in the hearts of those who knew and loved him as well as gratitude to God the Father for having given the Church this "good and faithful servant" (Mt 25.14), who worked prophetically by descending into the existential desert of a people so dear to him, served and defended to the point of sacrificing their own existence .
I would therefore like to address a paternal thought to the entire diocesan community and especially to the faithful of the Parish of Casal di Principe who, in remembering Don Peppe, as he was affectionately called, wants to live his own hope of walking together embodying the Christian prophecy , which invites us to build a world free from the yoke of evil and any type of criminal arrogance. My gratitude also goes to those who continue the pastoral work that Fr Joseph started as spiritual assistant to associations and groups of the faithful, in particular young people and organizations linked to the Scouts.
I express closeness and encouragement to all of you who, guided by the prophetic announcement "For the love of my people..." (Is 62,1), persevere on the path traced by Fr Joseph and, with daily commitment, patiently cultivate the seed of justice and the dream of human and social development for your land.
Even today the sad story narrated by Sacred Scripture of Cain's first fratricide against his brother Abel is repeated (see Gen 4:8). This tragic story retains its relevance when a human being raises his hand to strike another, as happens in the many forms of hatred and abuse that hurt man and sometimes bathe the streets of our neighborhoods and cities in blood. . Therefore, the commemoration of Fr Joseph's sacrifice encourages us to revive within ourselves that evangelical restlessness that animated his priesthood and led him without any hesitation to contemplate the face of the Father in every brother, testifying to those who feel wounded the project of God, so that everyone could live in justice, peace and freedom.
In the face of that violence and inhuman arrogance that denies justice and nullifies the dignity of people, Christians are those who announce the Gospel and live the vocation to be with Christ a sign of a new humanity, fertilized by brotherhood and communion. This awareness, already in 1982, pushed the Bishops of Campania to "raise the voice of denunciation and forcefully propose the project of the new man, created according to God in justice and truth (see Eph 4.24) ... and underline the strident contrast that exists between the false messages of the Camorra and the message of Jesus Christ" (Episcopal Conference of Campania, For the love of my people I will not be silent, 1982). At the same time we strongly feel the relevance of the words that Fr Peppe Diana, with the parish priests of the pastoral area of Casal di Principe, pronounced at Christmas 1991: "As baptized in Christ, as shepherds... God calls us to be prophets. The Prophet acts as a sentinel: he sees injustice, denounces it and recalls God's original plan (see Ez 3,16-18)” (Forania di Casal di Principe, For the love of my people, 1991).
On this significant anniversary of the killing of this courageous disciple of the Master, I invite you to strengthen your faith and hope in the truth of God, to welcome his Word and to cherish the purpose of building a society, finally purified from the shadows of sin, capable of dare a future of harmony and brotherhood.
Before concluding, moved by feelings of trust, I urge you young people, the beautiful and clear face of this land: do not let yourselves be robbed of hope, cultivate high ideals and build a different future with hands not stained with blood but with honest work, without giving in to easy but illusory compromises, taking up Fr Peppe's spiritual legacy to become, in turn, artisans of peace.
While I entrust everyone to the maternal protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary and to the intercession of Saint Joseph, just man and father in tenderness, I heartily bless you, asking you please not to forget to pray for me.
Fraternally
Rome, from San Giovanni in Laterano, 19 March 2024
Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Spouse of the B.V.M.
Patron of the Universal Church
Francis
I express closeness and encouragement to all of you who, guided by the prophetic announcement "For the love of my people..." (Is 62,1), persevere on the path traced by Fr Joseph and, with daily commitment, patiently cultivate the seed of justice and the dream of human and social development for your land.
Even today the sad story narrated by Sacred Scripture of Cain's first fratricide against his brother Abel is repeated (see Gen 4:8). This tragic story retains its relevance when a human being raises his hand to strike another, as happens in the many forms of hatred and abuse that hurt man and sometimes bathe the streets of our neighborhoods and cities in blood. . Therefore, the commemoration of Fr Joseph's sacrifice encourages us to revive within ourselves that evangelical restlessness that animated his priesthood and led him without any hesitation to contemplate the face of the Father in every brother, testifying to those who feel wounded the project of God, so that everyone could live in justice, peace and freedom.
In the face of that violence and inhuman arrogance that denies justice and nullifies the dignity of people, Christians are those who announce the Gospel and live the vocation to be with Christ a sign of a new humanity, fertilized by brotherhood and communion. This awareness, already in 1982, pushed the Bishops of Campania to "raise the voice of denunciation and forcefully propose the project of the new man, created according to God in justice and truth (see Eph 4.24) ... and underline the strident contrast that exists between the false messages of the Camorra and the message of Jesus Christ" (Episcopal Conference of Campania, For the love of my people I will not be silent, 1982). At the same time we strongly feel the relevance of the words that Fr Peppe Diana, with the parish priests of the pastoral area of Casal di Principe, pronounced at Christmas 1991: "As baptized in Christ, as shepherds... God calls us to be prophets. The Prophet acts as a sentinel: he sees injustice, denounces it and recalls God's original plan (see Ez 3,16-18)” (Forania di Casal di Principe, For the love of my people, 1991).
On this significant anniversary of the killing of this courageous disciple of the Master, I invite you to strengthen your faith and hope in the truth of God, to welcome his Word and to cherish the purpose of building a society, finally purified from the shadows of sin, capable of dare a future of harmony and brotherhood.
Before concluding, moved by feelings of trust, I urge you young people, the beautiful and clear face of this land: do not let yourselves be robbed of hope, cultivate high ideals and build a different future with hands not stained with blood but with honest work, without giving in to easy but illusory compromises, taking up Fr Peppe's spiritual legacy to become, in turn, artisans of peace.
While I entrust everyone to the maternal protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary and to the intercession of Saint Joseph, just man and father in tenderness, I heartily bless you, asking you please not to forget to pray for me.
Fraternally
Rome, from San Giovanni in Laterano, 19 March 2024
Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Spouse of the B.V.M.
Patron of the Universal Church
Francis
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