«In these weeks, through some newspapers, news has emerged regarding alleged abuses carried out in the past by a priest operating in our diocese. It would be facts dating back to many years ago, which, if confirmed, arouse in all of us profound disturbance and renewed responsibility ». To affirm it, in a note released by the diocese of Oppido – Palmi, is the Bishop Msgr. Giuseppe Alberti that enters the merits of some Public complaints made by an ex nun – Chiara Scarfò who wrote a book on the matter, “I reveal me” – and from a layman who told DI have been the subject, years ago, during their adolescence, of violence by an diocesan priest in a parish of Polistena. The priest is now 80 years old and is no longer parish priest.
«Facts – continues the bishop – that, if they are ascertained as true, they upset us and which we condemn without any fear. With a spirit of justice and truth, the diocese hopes that any managers will be called to respond through the paths required by law and that, even after some time, it is possible to bring out any useful element to reconstruct what happened. And, while we hope that on those facts it will be reported to the police to ascertain the truth, despite the past time, our thoughts cannot fail to go to those violence would have suffered and that have changed their existence ». “The diocesan church – says Msgr. Alberti – He lives these situations as a profound wound, which appeals everyone’s conscience and responsibility, and which recalls us to a renewed commitment to the transparency and protection of the most fragile.
Facts that, as a diocesan Church, decorate us and induce us to deep and merciful prayer in the proximity to the victims with the hope that such facts will never happen again. As Church we live these complaints as an open wound that lead us to go all the way through internal checks, which will be carried out with the utmost severity because we want the Church to be a safe place, especially for children, young people and vulnerable people “.
“Our diocese – continues the prelate – has already begun to invest in the protection of minors and vulnerable people, With conviction, with a training, prevention and supervision activity, in the awareness that the effectiveness of the guidelines started by the CEI inevitably passes through a widespread work of accompanying those with educational responsibilities within our Christian groups and communities. The hope is that a culture of respect and safeguarding childhood and the varied world of vulnerability grows more and more in our ecclesial environments “. Finally, the diocese confirms its availability for collaboration.