Pope Francis recently commemorated the 30th anniversary of Father Giuseppe Diana’s martyrdom, a priest murdered by the Camorra mafia for his vehement opposition to organized crime.
In a heartfelt letter to Bishop Angelo Spinillo of Aversa, Pope Francis honored Father Diana’s enduring legacy, recognizing him as a “courageous disciple of the Lord” who “prophetically immersed himself” in the challenge against darkness of criminal tyranny with the light of the Gospel.
The Pope’s message highlighted the profound impact of Father Diana’s life and death, not just on his parish but across the globe. His tragic demise on March 19, 1994, while preparing Mass, has since become a symbol of resistance against the oppression of organized crime.
Pope Francis vividly remembered Father Diana’s sacrifice, saying that he was “serving and defending them until the sacrifice of his own life. Pope Francis also drew parallels between the biblical story of Cain and Abel and the ongoing violence perpetrated by criminal organizations. He reminded Christians of their call to be a “sign of a new humanity,” nourished by fraternity and communion, a direct contrast to the “violence and inhuman tyranny” of the mafia.
To the youth of Casal di Principe, Father Diana’s parish, Pope Francis urged them to “not let your hope be stolen, cultivate high ideals and build a different future.” He emphasized the importance of honest work over “easy but illusory compromises,” invoking Father Diana’s spiritual legacy as a blueprint for becoming “artisans of peace.”
Pope Francis’ appeal to the younger generation is a vision for a future where communities are “purified from the shadows of sin” and capable of embracing a life of harmony and fraternity, he says.
Photo credit: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons
