La Church of Naples, led by Archbishop Don Mimmo Battaglia, together with Foundation with the South, launches two projects to address the city's social and youth emergencies. The "Casa Bartimeo" Charity Center and the Diffused Diocesan Museum of Naples (MuDD) were born, initiatives aimed at supporting the most vulnerable segments of the population and creating new opportunities for young people.
Casa Bartimeo, located in the Basilica of San Pietro ad Aram, on Corso Umberto I, represents a point of reference for those living in conditions of social and economic hardship. The structure will offer not only material assistance but also moral support and opportunities for social reintegration, as confirmed by the Archdiocese of Naples - Ramo ETS, a Third Sector entity created to manage the social impact of the Church. "Casa Bartimeo will be a symbol of hope and inclusion," explained Sister Marisa Pitrella, director of Caritas Naples. The services offered include a polyclinic, a listening center and a residential community. The structure, made possible thanks also to the co-financing of Fondazione Con il Sud, aims to build a dignified future for the most vulnerable groups.
In parallel, the Church of Naples has launched the MuDD – Museo Diocesano Diffuso, an ambitious project that intends to transform the historic center into a living and accessible museum. The MuDD will not only return the religious artistic heritage of the monumental churches to the city and its visitors, but will also generate employment opportunities. Young people will be involved in the management of these structures, developing entrepreneurial skills in the cultural sector. “We want young Neapolitans to be promoters of the culture and faith of their city,” declared Don Antonio Loffredo, vice president of the Naples C'entro Foundation.
The commitment to Naples has found the full support of Fondazione Con il Sud, which has decided to co-finance both projects, doubling the resources collected. “We must join forces for the good of the community, supporting valuable projects and replicating them in other Italian cities and dioceses,” said Stefano Consiglio, president of the Foundation.
At the same time, the fundraising campaign “Pe' Carità” was launched to support the Church's projects and give life to new initiatives for marginalized groups. The campaign's claim, “From the power of dreams to the concreteness of signs,” recalls the appeal of Don Mimmo Battaglia to involve citizens and local entrepreneurs in a great solidarity project.
Casa Bartimeo and the Museo Diocesano Diffuso are just the first steps of a journey that the Church of Naples, in synergy with local institutions and communities, intends to take to build a more supportive city. Thanks to the support of organizations such as the Neapolitan Province of the Friars Minor, the Grimaldi Foundation, the Community Foundation San Gennaro EF and the Region Campania, these projects represent a participatory and innovative welfare model, designed to respond to the many needs of the territory.
Article published on November 8, 2024 - 17:32
Important initiatives for the community, we hope they bring concrete benefits to those who need them most.