“Tragedies like this represent the peak of a way of thinking and living from which each of us must distance ourselves. Enough with every form of violence that destroys and devastates.” These were the words of Father Francesco Gentile, parish priest of Isola Capo Rizzuto, during the funeral homily for Filippo Verterame. The 22-year-old was killed on August 19th at the height of a brawl that broke out in the Le Cannella area.
Addressing a moved crowd that filled the cathedral and the square outside, the priest highlighted “the value of giving,” recalling the young man’s family’s choice to authorize organ donation. “A noble gesture,” said Father Francesco, “full of meaning. We have heard the cry of Jesus on the cross: My God, why? It is the same cry we hear echoing within us. Why this violence? Why can we not learn that the path of violence brings death? We must decide which side we want to be on: this tragedy cannot leave us indifferent or simply emotional. We must no longer allow anger and resentment to dictate our own and others’ lives. Today, all together, we say enough.”
The priest then turned to the young people present. “To truly honor Filippo’s memory,” he stated, “reject every kind of violence. Isolate the violent. You must not admire them. They are not models to follow.” He then issued an appeal to adults: “Today the Lord asks us to choose what we want to do. Do we want to leave our children a future of resentment and revenge? Or do we want to leave a mark, a future of peace and hope? Therefore, let Filippo’s death not just be a news story, but an appeal that shakes us, disturbs us, and pushes us to live in a new way.”