The land of the Estensi - Terrae mutatae

Sat, 06 Apr 2013 08:15:21 +0000
Num. 36

A profound change in pastoral life

Solidarity, help, participation and support were among the words most used during the eight months since the earthquake in Emilia on the 20th and 29th of May, 2012. These words are still on everyone's lips and summarize the sentiments expressed towards the earthquake victims. "Places and objects of memory" were not spared: cemeteries, churches, works of historical and artistic importance, steeples, civic towers, monuments and so on. Above all in the countryside, the church is the identity of the town; it is the collective memory and at the same time the memory of each of the inhabitants and it is also the perfect meeting point.
We are told that the current "earthquake statistics" for the Archdiocese of Ferrara- Comacchio are as follows: of the 222 buildings damaged, 113 are churches and 47 are rectories. Inside the city walls of Ferrara the figures are daunting: of a total of 36 existing churches, only 6 are open and officiating. What could be done?
Forced to make a virtue of necessity, rectories, cinemas, apartments, private houses, marquees and warehouses have become places of worship and home to catechesis and conviviality. Unfortunately, all these adopted solutions are destined to remain for months, perhaps years, considering the lengthy restoration schedule that lies ahead, together with the high costs and complexity of the bureaucratic procedures, which are still being finalized. The Archdiocese of Ferrara-Comacchio, in order to operate in a uniform manner, has drawn attention to the training of the technicians, inviting them to make a cultural reflection on churches and the buildings that have suffered the most damage. Guidance on the promotion of Christian sacred art no longer exists. This phenomenon, on the other hand, fits perfectly in the general crisis of today's incapacity to unite faith and life, faith and culture. Another problem is related to pastoral life which, with the earthquake, has undergone a change that will last over time. I think that the earthquake, despite having shaken the earth spreading desolation and death, has created a new opportunity for Christians: the risen Jesus Christ brings the promise that the last words on the journey through life and history are not pain and death, but joy and resurrection. Pastoral activities were numerous in this period. The wonderful moments of summer activities for children and young people in the areas of our region most affected by the earthquake were created in Bondeno, Scortichino, Vigarano Mainarda, San Benedetto, etc. Whilst places intended for recreational and commercial activities (cinemas, kindergartens, gymnasiums) have been transformed into places of worship (San Benedetto, Vigarano Pieve, Santo Spirito, etc.). These small signs of solidarity are a demonstration of the potential that each of us has to live in the world as an example of charity and faith.