The funeral of Monsignor Luigi Antonio Cantafora, Emeritus Bishop of the diocese of Lamezia Terme. At 6 pm the coffin from the church of San Domenico reached Piazza Duomo in procession. A moved crowd took part in the ceremony to give the last farewell to “Don Gino”, as was affectionately known.
To preside over the funeral rite was Monsignor Alberto Torriani, Archbishop of Crotone-San Severina, flanked by numerous exponents of the Calabrian and national clergy: Monsignor Vincenzo Calvosabishop of Valle della Lucania; Monsignor Leonardo Bonannoemeritus bishop of San Marco Argentano-Scalea; Monsignor Giancarlo Bregantiniemeritus bishop of Campobasso; Monsignor Fortunato Morrone, Archbishop of Reggio Calabria; Monsignor Tonino Staglianò, Rector of the Basilica of Santa Maria in Montesanto and president of the Pontifical Theological Academy.
The homily was pronounced by the bishop of Lamezia Terme, Don Serafino Parisiwho recalled intense words with the figure of CantaFora: “Don Gino had a big heart. He deeply loved his Church and his people, without ever sparing himself.”
Numerous civil authorities were present at the ceremony: the mayor of Crotone Vincenzo Vocethe vice -president of the province Fabio Manicathe mayor of Lamezia Terme Mario Muronethe deputy mayor of Conflenti Federico Gallothe mayor of Cutro Antonio Ceraso and the prefect of Crotone Franca Ferraro. The catacumenal communities that he founded when he was parish priest of San Domenico accompanied the mass.
A day of recollection and memory, marked by the deep affection of the community for a shepherd who left an indelible imprint in the heart of the Calabrians.