News this afternoon of the death of Don Gallo, the revolutionary priest from Genova, Don Andrea Gallo who was last in this area in June of 2011 when he attended a packed meeting in Gallicano (article here) organised at Il Pane e le rose. The theme of that meeting was “From the Risorgimento to the Republic of Italy that we want.”
His words then caused some considerable polemic with some observers apparently angry that revolutionary phrases were coming out of a priests mouth.
A recent video and interviews on nation media has once more brought him face to face with more angry protests as he made his position clear on the No Tav protests with have been taking place in the Val di Susa against the construction of a high speed rail link joining Turin to Lyon.
I’m with those who protest against the TGV, I’m with the ‘Valley of the partisans’ who have chosen democracy and the protection of health against business and closed clubs. “Don Andrea Gallo, founder of the community of St. Benedict at the Port of Genoa, is on the side of people who “fight for the truth against a useless, dangerous and disastrous construction.” “In these parts there is a spirit of freedom – observes the street wise priest – in the catacombs of the monastery of monks of Susa was the headquarters of the Committee of National Liberation.
This is a real strength for the future of the environment and democracy. “”In the Valley have created an uproar and its not going to be easy for it to die down,” remarked Don Gallo. Pointing the finger at those who condemn the movement, calling to Palazzo Chigi: “Why doesn’t the government not listen to the real committees of the Val di Susa? How can you not hear the voice of the people and then go to Brussels to defend this useless cathedral to high speed ?
Monti and his ministers had to make a point with the people and experts, and they have not listened to anyone.
The call to the government is strong: make a truce, and listen to the committees’ – Don Gallo
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLrzLuvlU20
Genoa, May 22 – A popular Catholic priest who founded a drug-rehabilitation centre, promoted LGBT rights, and once called for a gay pope, died Wednesday afternoon in Genoa, his religious community announced. Don Andrea Gallo, 84, was known as the “street priest” for his community work, including founding Genoa’s San Benedetto drug-rehab community.
Gallo, who once smoked marijuana in city hall to protest what he denounced as draconian drug laws, was branded a Communist by his opponents. But he stood up for the rights of gays, lesbians, and transsexuals, suggesting the Catholic church should even consider a gay pope to open itself to equality. “A homosexual pope would be a magnificent thing.
The essence of the Gospel is that we are all God’s sons and daughters and we are all equal as God’s children,” Gallo once told Radio 24 program La Zanzara. “The homosexual priest must be free to express his identity and his sexuality, because repression leads to pedophilia,” Gallo said, adding that he had been sexually harassed by a bishop when he was a young priest.
Nichi Vendola, president of the Freedom Ecology Left (SEL) party, eulogized Gallo on Twitter. “Don Andrea Gallo, child of God, travelling companion, father, brother, friend, you will always be in our hearts, our struggles, our utopias”. – source