A friendship to save

On Wednesday, October 31, Giovanna Reggiani died, the 47-year-old Italian woman flogged to death and thrown in a ditch in Rome. A 24-year old Romanian nomad was arrested by the police, Nicolae Romulus Mailat. The episode led to an outburst of polemics in Italy vouching for stricter legislation on safety and immigration. A draft-law on expulsions followed, but it seems bound to undergo abundant debate. Romania’ premier and the European Union intervened. Also the Romanian Church, both the Catholic and the Orthodox Churches – were called to intervene. On Saturday 31, in the University Square in Bucarest, Father FRANCISC DOBOS, spokesperson of the Catholic archdiocese in Bucarest and an orthodox priest led a requiem for Giovanna Reggiani at the same time of the funerals in Rome. A crowd of Romanian citizens were present. “Given these circumstances”, the priest said, “we are deeply frustrated, this feeling is shared by all Romanian citizens. Here in Romania in the past few days this is all that people have been talking about. When faced with such tragedies, we feel powerless.” However, added father Dobos, “we don’t want a single crime to be ascribed to an entire nation”. We contacted by phone the Metropolitan archbishop of Bucarest IOAN ROBU, president of Romania’s Bishops’ Conference. Eccellency, what are your words on this episode?“We are living a situation which nobody likes, In Italy and in Romania. On the part of Romania, we admit the existence of a problem that is connected with uncontrolled immigration, which leads some Romanian citizens to commit crimes which discredit an entire nation. This sensational case in Rome should awaken us especially from the moral viewpoint: we should ask ourselves which is the place of faith and of God in our Romanian reality. Since leaving for another country without well-grounded moral values, leaving without housing security, without a job, and financial means can only lead to major problems. Italy’s warm reception is well-known as is also the Romanians’ preference for Italy. But Romanian citizens must live up to this reception and respect the rules of co-existence, offering their skills in employment along with their honesty.What is said in Romania?“I believe that also the Romanians living in Italy need guarantees as relates to a regular job and a dignified salary that would allow them to live in adequate conditions. Romanian authorities certainly must commit themselves much more to the benefit of their citizens with a policy of social assistance that will prevent mass exhodus. Now the emigration wave has passed, however it’s necessary to do something even if it’s a bit late since, as I said, emigration was uncontrolled and excesses lead to problems. These need to be cautiously addressed without accusing everyone of the crime of one individual. It would be unjust”. What do you expect from the meetings between the authorities of the two Countries?“I hope that the contacts that will take place between the Romanian and Italian authorities will have a positive outcome and solve this situation. The existing friendship between our peoples is well-known. Unfortunately this climate of nervousness doesn’t promote dialogue”. What do you think of the draft-law on expulsions?“It seems to me that the decision has already been made. There are Romanians who have already been expelled. However serious decisions should never be made on the spur of the moment. Here in Romania it is said that this episode was instrumental to political election propaganda. I don’t know whether it may be true. But if it were true it does not honour the person who undertook this maneuvre. Things should be clear and exploiting a crime for political purposes doesn’t honour anyone, on the contrary”.How do you expect future relations between the two Countries to be like?“It would be a shame to wipe out a history of friendship which ties our peoples. It was established in the course of time. We have got to know each other better. Now we have discovered that we are also capable of committing serious mistakes but this is not a reason to destroy our friendship. We must also not forget that if it’s true that the measure of justice is appreciated especially when someone committed a crime, it’s equally true that also the measure of charity exists. I do hope that things will cautiously return to place. I believe that this moment of unrest will pass. I hope it passes soon, without causing unhealable wounds”.