The late Giuseppe Siri, Archbishop of Genoa, Italy had a long established reputation for being hyper conservative in all matters pertaining to the traditions of the church.
I have learnt from experience that book covers are often miles distant from their content knowing that covers tend to speak little, or nothing of the chapters waiting to be read.
When Vicar-General of the Genoa archdiocese Siri had also been a serving member of the Genoa partisans. The Liguria regional German Army commander, General Walter Meinhold accepted Siri's offer to mediate a surrender of Meinhold's entire command of some 15,000 men into the arms of the local partisans. This is the only known surrender of a fully equipped German Army division to a resistance organisation, the Committee of National Liberation in April, 1945.
Cardinal Siri had a track record for organising soup kitchens in the years following the end of the second world war feeding the war hungry of his diocese, even rolling up his sleeves to stir the pot. Despite being an excellent organiser Siri would also dive in the deep end to assist with the preparation of minestrone soup, a favourite among the needy seeking a square meal. Siri became known as the "minestrone cardinal" for his relief work in soup kitchens.
Back in 1979 a whirlwind of heroin addiction swept through Italy out of nowhere trapping tens of thousands of young people in its grip. Many of the victims had already started testing recreational drugs, especially marijuana with a wish to participate in what they perceived to be a liberated life style devoid of pressure.
Cardinal Siri quickly recognised the rapid descent into addiction of thousands of young Genoese, and with solid cooperation from the city fathers of Genoa opened an enormous defunct royal palace equipping it with dormatories, kitchens, toilets, shower rooms with a wish to have it operate as a rehabilitation clinic within 60 days from rolling up his sleeves.
American professional drug rehabilitation therapists were imported from the United States, and translators employed to assist the Americans train local Italians as therapists. Within a few months the former royal palace had been filled with scores of victims receiving therapy behind locked doors. The rehabilitation period would last 18 months.
It took some three years of hard work to reverse the damage imposed on the youth of Genoa. The rehabilitation centre continues to supply assistance for those drawn into the clutches of drug addiction.
Among the Genoese Cardinal Siri is remembered for his practical application of The Christ's words to love our neighbour, as we would wish to be loved.
A regular reader has emailed me asking whether I have had any contacts with patients from the rehabilitation centre following their return to open society.
I had been re-assigned to London in 1981 to work in a similar project. One fine day at about 6 PM leaving to return to my quarters I was confronted with what I normally refer too as a numinous experience.
I use the term numinous, derived from the Greek word Nous, (Greek: “mind” or “intellect”) in philosophy, the faculty of intellectual apprehension, and of intuitive thought.
I was being pressured by internalised inspiration to visit a pub in Notting Hill Gate, in central London, way off my path home. Despite not being a pub person (I prefer cafe society) have never been one to ignore the over powering influence of intuitively sourced guidance.
I arrived at the pub at 6.30 PM knowing that there would be few customers. I ordered a drink and faced the main door that I just entered. Within five minutes a pale skinned, ginger haired man who had been a patient at the Genoa rehabilitation centre walked in an shook my hand, greeting me with a ciao, Alex. I replied that I instantly recognised him for there are few ginger haired Genoese in circulation, but had misplaced his name.
Carlo had completed his rehabilitation programme returning to his family, and social company to learn that his close friends remained addicted to heroin. Carlo's family were privileged and agreed to his desire to pack him off to London for a year to distance him from his friends. Carlo was fluent in the English language and soon found work creating a new life free from drugs.
Years later on a trip to Genoa I learnt that Carlo had entered the local political arena, winning election onto Genoa City Council where he remains a progressive force for change.
Cardinal Siri took part in three papal enclaves as the conservative candidate, without success. Our Heavenly Father had other plans for Giuseppe Siri better suiting the gifts that had been granted to him by God to become His outreach among the people of Genoa.
The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. ~ Psalm 32:8