Mafia: Archbishop of Palermo: ‘The plague has returned to the city’

“The plague has returned to Palermo. Every year, at this event, we have reflected on the problems facing our city. But let me say that tonight is different. Palermo’s old wounds are resurfacing, alongside new ones. They are there for all to see. And anyone with a responsibility – myself first and foremost – cannot look the other way.

“Our tribute to Santuzza would be hollow and meaningless if, in her presence this evening, we did not all commit ourselves to bringing about a change. These are fatal wounds to the social fabric of the city.”

The Archbishop of Palermo, Corrado Lorefice, president of Migrantes, said this in his Address to the City on Wednesday evening in Piazza Marina, during the 402nd Festino di Santa Rosalia, explaining: “I am thinking of the forceful and suffocating resurgence of racketeering . Of the barrage of intimidation aimed at turning good people away from doing good. To the widespread and unscrupulous violence. To the hysterical and youth-driven resurgence of the Mafia, whose greatest danger lies in its stupidity.”

"The Mafia is, after all, stupid and petty, starting with its so-called leaders, as demonstrated by the latest successful operations carried out by the Carabinieri and the police."