Archbishop on 15-year-old killed in Naples – “It is with deep sorrow that I learn of yet another tragedy that has struck our city: the death of a young man, just fifteen years old, torn from life by criminal violence”. With these words, the Archbishop of Naples, Don Mimmo Battaglia, expressed his condolences in the face of the dramatic loss of a teenager, victim of the brutality that continues to bloody the streets of Naples.
The Archbishop wanted to express his thoughts of closeness to the young man's family and to the entire community, deeply shocked by what happened: “My heart goes out to his family and to the entire community who today mourns another broken life.” Battaglia underlined the devastating impact of these episodes on the future of the city: “Every time a young person is killed, our city loses a part of its future, and this cannot leave us indifferent.”
Faced with this ongoing emergency, the prelate launched an appeal for a decisive and immediate change of direction: "We can no longer remain inert. It is time for a change of pace, and I say this with all the strength and urgency that this moment requires." The Archbishop emphasized the need for a structural intervention, based on prevention and education. “Institutions, families, schools, parishes, all of us are called to build a solid educational network”Said Battaglia, reiterating the importance of offering young people an alternative to the streets and crime.
The urgency of creating educational paths that start from the early years of life and involve especially the most vulnerable families was at the center of his message. Concluding his speech, Don Mimmo Battaglia launched a strong invitation to collective responsibility: “Our children must be able to see a different future, one of hope and possibility, not of guns and violence.”
Article published on 24 October 2024 - 17:03
It is truly a tragedy that strikes the heart, we hope that there will be a positive change for the future of young people in Naples.