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The reopening and full restoration of the connections of the Calabrian Railways were among the topics most frequently mentioned during the Pastoral Visit of Msgr. Claudio Maniago in the Forania of Gimigliano-Taverna.
A concrete issue, which emerged not only in the Archbishop’s institutional meetings, but also in the dialogue with the communities of Gimigliano and Cicala. The theme of mobility has returned several times in conversations with citizens and families, in a territory that continues to deal with precarious road connections and the difficulties inherent in internal areas.
Particular attention was paid to the restoration of the railway connection between Madonna di Porto and Catanzaro and, above all, to the Lenza construction site, in the Gagliano area, whose works are managed by the Municipality of Catanzaro. The completion of the intervention represents a particularly awaited step to allow the line to return to full functionality.
An expectation that is accompanied by trust in the commitment of the administrator of Ferrovie della Calabria, Aristide Vercillo, and of the municipal administration of Catanzaro led by the mayor Nicola Fiorita, so that the critical issues that still exist can be overcome and an essential connection returned to the territory.
The theme also emerged during the Archbishop’s visit to the RSA Madonna di Porto, where family members and operators highlighted how the availability of efficient connections affects daily life, especially for those who have to reach Catanzaro for work, study, healthcare or other services.
The same need is felt by devotees and visitors to the Basilica-Sanctuary of Madonna di Porto, a destination for pilgrims and visitors throughout the year. The difficulty in connections therefore does not only concern the movements of residents, but also the accessibility of one of the main religious places in the area.
The railway issue fits into a broader framework. The precariousness of road connections makes it even more important to have a reliable train service to the capital. Mobility, accessibility and infrastructure thus become decisive elements also to combat the depopulation and isolation of internal areas.
During the Pastoral Visit, Msgr. Maniago was able to collect and listen to these requests, coming into contact with people’s concerns and concrete expectations. The presence of the Bishop in the communities thus also becomes an opportunity to listen to the real life of the territory, its fragilities and its hopes.
A shared hope therefore emerges from Gimigliano and Cicala: that the completion of the Lenza construction site can contribute to making the restoration of the railway connection with Catanzaro possible as soon as possible. For inland communities it means reducing distances, facilitating access to services and offering a concrete response to an area that asks to be able to look to its future with greater confidence.