The Como crime, “resisting the exploitation of fears”

Rome (NEV),  September 25, 2020 – The body of father  Roberto Malgesini left Como on  September 17. The following day in the afternoon, in his native Cosio, in the Valtellina Valley, the funeral took place.
The things he did remain in Como, the hours spent in favor of the least ones, the political controversies, a city where welcoming foreigners  is in some way a crime.  A Tunisian citizen was  investigated for the murder of the parish priest who assisted him in the past. It seems this person suffers from mental problems and that he has a not executed expulsion order. On September 17 morning the arrest was validated and the precautionary measure was ordered in prison.
Dina Mensah, Waldensian, originally from Ghana, works in the city as an educator and knew father Roberto. “I still find it hard to believe it. I saw it a month ago, it will be hard to fill this void. And I think it will be the same for all those who have had the chance to get to know him. For a couple of years, working in the immigration area, I met him and father Giusto della Valle (another priest working in the parish of San Martino a Rebbio in Como, ed.), two very active people in helping migrants”.
Andreas Köhn, pastor of the Waldensian church of Como, from 2005 to 2019, says: “Unfortunately in Como it is undeniable that there is a climate of hatred towards the poor, hatred for migrants. The reference is, for example, to the measures that have, among other things, prohibited people to bring homeless even a glass of milk. But I want to emphasize – continues the pastor – that there is also a community committed to building a multicultural society. We as Protestant churches have engaged ourselves in this direction, also creating important collaborations with the University of Insubria, for example, regarding the theme of restorative justice. How to respond then to hatred and violence? The best response from Christian communities and civil society is to continue to welcoming needy people in a simple and concrete way. We cannot be stunned by horror. Each community has the task of continuing to work for the care and the rights of people”.