Livorno. Municipality and Diocese show signs of a thaw after the storm.

LIVORNO. Father Paolo Razzauti sets the tone, and the sports councilor, Claudio Ritorni, accepts the invitation. The first: "It is the Church's duty to shake up the city; it certainly doesn't do so against anyone, but to build something." And the other: "Working to achieve common goals is always important, especially for those of us who care about society.".
The exchange between Don Paolo and the councilor during the presentation of the Santa Giulia Cup (the full program is in the center of the page) certainly didn't go unnoticed. Yesterday's meeting was the first official face-to-face meeting between the Diocese and the Municipality since the controversy that erupted last week between the bishop and the mayor. The prelate called Cosimi an "out of the ordinary mayor" after Cosimi criticized (at a conference organized by the Democratic Party and Arcigay) the "Church that tries to tell us how to raise our children.".
Yesterday, Razzauti and Ritorni (seated next to each other) helped to thaw things out—or rather, to dampen tensions, depending on your point of view. "The celebration of Santa Giulia," adds Don Paolo, "is a celebration that manages to unite many forces. It's a positive moment in a Livorno where only divisions are being brought to the surface. Young people often lack sufficient motivation and projects: the world of rowing can be a great training ground. The Church's task is also to shake up the city. When the bishop and I intervene, we never do so against anyone, but to build something together. I'm a stumbling block: Livorno once enjoyed itself, and it's everyone's job to make it amiable again." "The Church," echoes Ritorni, "is right to express itself; its encouragement helps us. Not only that: when it comes to translating suggestions into concrete actions, it is always there. Working to achieve common goals is important, especially at a time when social cohesion risks crumbling.".
JG.