Oria: the case of oratory SING, Ernesto Ciccarese interview Roberto Schifone The appointment is in front of the Municipality of Oria, in advance and are for a quarter of an hour I'm enjoying the spectacle of women's beach volleyball match held on the forecourt of the Town Hall. Robert comes with a few minutes late, apologized and said that the commitments of the oratorio at this time I have a lot (even after we explain what they are). Roberto Schifone is a tall and sturdy, affable manners of those who formed their own parish activities. For more than a month has hired a tug of war with the city administration regarding the eviction of the oratorio Oria SING (We The New Day) by the local host. We sit at the bar with two girls accompanying him to the oratory almost immediately what must have been an interview becomes a conversation.
As the story begins oratory SING?
The June 4th I serve an order of forced evictions in 10 days by the city of Oria. Subject of the Ordinance are the local SING oratory, near the park Montalbano, owned by the municipality. The motivation is that of the classes necessary to transfer the Institute for Tourism Business, hosted so far at the middle school, "Francesco Militia "on the premises is located in the oratory. That same evening, through a press release through the Internet, through word of mouth I circulate the news. The response of those who are familiar with the story of the oratorio was immediate, a special unit set up at FB in a few hours reached 1600 members.
There is a reason that explains the enormous mobilization that has taken place for the oratory SING?
certainly twenty years of history have allowed us to have strong and deep roots, to have an experience that they have reached, with the continued commitment, "latitude" very distant.
Then there is the daily effort of the oratory that involves non-disabled children, disabled children, children entrusted to us by the Juvenile Court of Lecce, which is facing a reintegration plan. For a total of about 400 people. So we speak of a fact closely related to the social fabric of Oria
"These are the battles of civilization that men of good will need to know to fight because he is anxious that the weak can not fall on the edge of a road ' . Strong words in the letter of solidarity that has sent the Bishop Emeritus of Acerra Riboldi Bishop, known for his efforts against the Camorra.
solidarity and participation was an essential component of the whole experience. In addition to Bishop Riboldi have mobilized other well-known personalities including Magdi Cristiano Allam, Maria Falcone, the Bishop of Acqui Terme. An important work of mediation was also conducted by the Bishop of Bishop Vincent Oria Pisanelli. But particularly strong was the presence of ordinary people who followed us in demonstrations, in garrisons and in the long single-issue municipal councils.
Well solidarity of civil society and the Church, but what was the attitude of the political world?
The question of eviction of
Singh has made a sort of watershed in the political world. We have been pleased by the President of the Province Massimo Ferrarese that has taken a clear position for us to mobilize on the case until the entire provincial government. There was also involvement of Senator Joseph Caforio and many other politicians in the area. While the political world oritano was completely incompetent, not only to find a solution, but also to take a clear position. This was really a matter of great sadness on our part. In this respect, was emblematic of the political breakdown of progress made during the council monothematic Oratory, when politicians, instead of finding a solution to this sensitive issue, I could only fight, leaving the Mayor Ferretti for two days without a majority. Surely it was not a pretty sight even for the hundreds of people who, after following the session of the city for five hours, left the council chamber with faces marked by disillusionment and dall'avvilimento.
Then, there was a time when the failure of City of sorties a solution has laid a heavy depression.
A distress in men and not God if the speaker was born twenty years ago has overcome so many difficult times, including that, it means that not only by men, but it is mainly the work of God in these days of preparations for transferring the quantity of goods that the kids are packing, including about three thousand books, makes you understand real value of a journey that lasted two decades can not be only by men. For us it is evident the hand of providence. Eviction oratory Singh was a test of faith that has strengthened, despite the moments of despair, our conviction to act for the good of others.
Eventually the "good news" there was!
The mayor, thanks to has received numerous pressures from all sides has made available, from July 13, the rooms via Frascati. Also - you're EXTRA the first to know - the mayor and city councilor Ferretti Glauco Caniglia (vice president of Spatial Setting) from a few hours have told us that within six months Frascata equip the facility via a lift to make new buildings accessible to many disabled people who attend the chapel.
Another step forward in a way not easy, however, that she has been able to deal with.
I first noted that the chapel has a spiritual director, Father Daniel Conte, a board (of which I am one too) which, although less visible, have formed the core compact that has supported all the stories I mentioned.
said that, in my experience I can say that, as regional head of the Movement for Children, are involved in Apulia for twenty years. In which I have fought for recognition of rights to unwed mothers, to women victims of domestic violence in abused children. But I never thought of having to find in a tussle with the administration of my country to defend an institution whose sole purpose is to interest the next. It was this experience that much I tried, but had to be made. Staying In these days with the dirty boys of painting, while whitening the new premises to house the chapel, is the greatest reward you could wish for. Doing something for the last of this company, for the most unfortunate, for the drug dealer who is entrusted to us by the court, it gives me the best thing that can exist.
In conclusion, there is a recipe that allowed you, despite the difficulties, tick?
Many young South participating in movements that are concerned with big issues, then on home territory are unable to mobilize even on small issues that still makes it hard for the everyday life of many citizens. We, however, we did a reverse path, we chose to be close to people that every day we walk the journey of life. Certainly it is not easy to keep motivation high, especially when you are confronted with political and administrative realities with which you are unable to establish any dialogue. Discouragement c'avrebbe certainly did not give up everything if we had twenty years of history behind us and if our struggle was not supported by prayer.
The pleasant conversation with Roberto Schifone ends with 's invitation, which certainly will not fail to participate in the inauguration of new building of the oratory that will take place on the premises of Via Frascati between late September and early October.
