Naples. This morning a protest was held in front of the church of Sant'Antonio and Sant'Alfonso a Tarsia, in Naples.
The initiative, promoted by activists from Potere al Popolo, was born in response to the attack suffered by some homeless people living inside the now deconsecrated religious building.
Last Saturday, three unknown individuals forced their way into the church and attacked one of the homeless, causing his denture to break. The incident was reported to law enforcement, and the injured man received a medical report certifying his injuries.
Dozens of people took part in the sit-in, holding a banner reading "Stop the attacks on the homeless in the Church. What do the Redemptorist Fathers think?" The protesters pointed their fingers at members of the congregation to which the church belonged, demanding they take a stand on the incident.
The occupation of the church
The occupation of the Church of Sant'Antonio and Sant'Alfonso in Tarsia began in February 2018, in response to the lack of adequate housing for the homeless in the city. Over the years, the housing project has helped dozens of people escape extreme poverty and marginalization.
Power's demands to the People
Potere al Popolo activists denounce the intimidation suffered by the homeless and call on the Redemptorist Fathers and the Archbishop of Naples, Battaglia, to reopen a direct dialogue with them. The goal is to find a solution that protects the rights of the most vulnerable and is in line with the Church's values of hospitality and Christian charity.
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