Naples, the parish priest invites high school students to reflect after the Chiaia brawl, but few attend

Naples. Only school representatives from Liceo Umberto and a few parents responded to the invitation of Don Giuseppe Carmelo, parish priest of the Church of the Ascension in Chiaia.

He had invited the students to a meeting of reflection and reconciliation following the violent brawl between students from the Mercalli and Umberto high schools, which occurred in Naples on the night between Thursday and Friday.

Don Giuseppe reported that some parents contacted him to communicate that they would not send the children to 'protect them'. The meeting between the parish priest and the few students and parents began behind closed doors in the church premises.

The brawl between students from the two high schools, apparently due to football-sports rivalries, prompted Don Giuseppe Carmelo to write an open letter on social media addressed to the boys: You are young and therefore wonderful. Why waste your extraordinary energy like this? Perhaps tomorrow you will all march together to protest the war and demand peace for Ukraine and Palestine.

But in the meantime you play at war, and every war fuels resentment and hatred. No guys, this game is not for you… Change course… I want to offer you a space to be together, discuss, plan, create, dialogue, study, listen to music and also play in a healthy and authentic way”.

The parents explained that they prevented their children from going to the appointment to "protect them"

Hence the appointment for this evening, at 20 pm, in Piazzetta Ascensione, "a few steps from where you clashed" and from the church.

All the high school students who want to come, do it. Don't be ashamed. We'll work together to create alternative spaces to boredom and violence. I believe in your potential. I look forward to seeing you. concluded the priest's appeal, which however found an echo in only a few.