A European challenge

“The mafia is an open challenge to our Justice and Peace Commissions, in order to reaffirm legality and justice commitments”. The appeal was launched in Palermo, Sicily, by 35 delegates of the European Conference of the Justice and Peace Commissions, representing 31 European Bishops Conferences. The Conferences, created in 1971 on the wake of the encyclical of Paul VI “Popolorum Progressio”, has an executive committee with its main offices in Berlin. On March 7-9 on the invitation of the Italian Commission, European secretary generals gathered for a three-day workshop in the places dear to Father Pino Puglisi, the parish priest of the Brancaccio district in Palermo killed by the mafia on September 15th 1993. Participants also expressed the wish that “the European Parliament take an ever stronger stand against mafia-related crime, envisaging measures regulating the confiscation of goods and their use in legality development projects”. Topical moments of the meeting were: the testimony of Carolina, the nun who used to work with Father Puglisi, and of Msgr.Giancarlo Bregantini, bishop in Locri (Calabria) for 13 years, and current President of the Italian Justice and Peace Commission; the prayer in the square where Father Puglisi was killed and the visit to the “Padre Nostro” youth center where the murdered priest used to live. Upon our return we addressed a series of questions to the Secretary General of the European Conference of the Justice and Peace Commission, Jörg Lüer.What was the main purpose of this meeting?“We were invited by the Italian Justice and Peace Commission and by the archbishop of Palermo Msgr. Paolo Romeo. First of all, we wished to learn more about the culture of mafia violence and the efforts aimed at its opposition. We intended to express our solidarity to all those who bravely fought against the mafia, primarily Father Pino Puglisi”. Was this your first time in Palermo? What’s your idea of mafia and the struggles of civil society against mafia culture? “For me this was the first time. I had read a lot, but I wanted to be careful in my judgement. I saw and listened to people devoted to the fight against organized crime, a very delicate and complex reality and a battle which can be won. Mafia isn’t a problem pertaining to Sicily or Italy alone. The structure of the culture of violence can have similar characteristics in Ukraine or even in Berlin, the city where I live. Even in in my city there are boroughs where the culture of violence paves the way. This is shocking”. The story of Father Puglisi is very well-known in Italy. What about the rest of Europe?“It depends on the Country. In general terms, we don’t know much about him. By tradition the mafia was considered and Italian problem, and even if it isn’t true, it’s a prejudice which needs to be eliminated. Organized crime is spreading all over, especially in East-European Countries, but also in Western Countries. During the days spent in Palermo we learned that the mafia is a European problem. Father Pino Puglisi symbolizes the struggle put into action by the Church”. What will be the Conference’s commitment at European level?“On the first day we shared testimonies and stories. We then expanded our reflection. I suggested to reintroduce these issues in the course of our next general assembly which will take place in September. On that occasion we will concretely identify our commitment to be addressed to European MPs”.And in the single Countries?“We will report what we lived at national level, each in his own Country. It will be interesting to see what will ensue. A lot will depend on the decisions we will be taking in the month of September”. What are the next appointments of the European Conference? “We will meet in Belgrade in September to speak about the relations between Serbia and Europe, a very delicate issue which must be faced in order to counter possible situations of violence. We are working at a pan-European exhibition on poverty which will be held in Strasburg”.