Bonassola embraces "his" Don Giulio, the nonconformist priest who challenges the Church

Several hundred gathered in the square in front of the church of Santa Caterina, in

(La Spezia), to express closeness to

, to “their” Don Giulio.

The Ligurian parish priest, who has made people talk about himself for some not exactly Orthodox positions with respect to the magisterium and the doctrine of the Church, has undergone a provision from his diocese, which suspends him from the celebration of the sacraments.

A first warning, a stop that probably will not remain without consequences.

But that was enough to trigger the solidarity of the small community on the Levante coast, just north of the Cinque Terre.

"

killed in his freedom": this large banner opened the demonstration in defense of the nonconformist priest, who will now no longer be able to say mass to the many parishioners who have shown him affection and closeness.

From

to

, from

to

: Don Giulio's Gospel speaks another language, according to him, that of hospitality, of true Love.

That, in short, of Jesus Christ, who welcomes and does not condemn;

which he forgives and does not discriminate.

Among other things, he had said: “

”.

I hope that one day marriages between two people of the same sex can be celebrated in church

don Giulio Mignani

The decree was notified to him in recent days.

To motivate the choice, we read in the document: "Over the years he has repeatedly issued utterances in which he has repeatedly supported

".

And this afternoon, there were more than 400 in the churchyard of Santa

Caterina, recalled by the

committee .

Speaking, the priest expressed the desire that the day dedicated to dialogue and encounter between different religions, an annual event that began in his parish, become a national event.

“It is a day in which people with different spiritual experiences come together.

There are Christians, atheists, Jews, agnostics, Buddhists.

My awareness, like that of others, is that there are different ways of nourishing this spiritual dimension.

I live it following the teaching of Jesus, others following other paths.

I would like this day to continue and I ask the committee to organize other days like this one and I will come from wherever I am, ”said the parish priest between long applause.

Even those who do not reside in Bonassola but frequent it often have sided with him.

"Losing Don Giulio's voice would open a void of meaning and intelligence that not only the Bonassola community, but the Italian culture, religious or secular, does not deserve" is written in an appeal signed, among others, by the architect

.

At the event, there were many signs in support of the priest who has already confirmed his

, perhaps with other positions.

“I don't know what my future will be.

I would see myself very well at Caritas to be at the side of the poor, ”he said.

The many manifestations of affection fill me with joy because perhaps it is a sign that there have been good things.

These are days of pain, I do not deny that I have cried.

I tried to sow love and someone said today that a tree was born, with strong spiritual roots and it will be difficult to uproot it.

There will be opportunities to keep it growing.

I shared this thought with the bishop: I see so many positive fruits, if the tree gave so many good fruits was it worth cutting?

I do not leave the priesthood because he would mean agreeing with those who think that only those who see it as homologating can remain in the Church.

I will continue to manifest my thoughts

don Giulio Mignani

The affection of the parishioners, the tears of the children

Among the slogans, there was also one that said "I want an inclusive Church like Pope Francis, like Don Giulio".

Others underlined how Don Giulio's passion and example won them over, perhaps distracting them from paths far from those of religious practice: “he made me go back to church with his sermons who were passionate about him.

I fear not the future of Don Giulio, but the future of the Catholic Church without a parish priest like Don Giulio ”confessed

, bell ringer from Bonassola.

“Bonassola can become a laboratory of inclusion, beauty and positivity for everyone.

It is the beginning of a long and bright journey "said

, of the #iostocondongiulio committee.

There was no lack of

, who hugged the parish priest asking him not to leave them.

“The many manifestations of affection fill me with joy - added the priest - because perhaps it is a sign that there have been good things.

These are days of pain, I do not deny that I have cried.

I tried to sow love and someone said today that a tree was born, with strong spiritual roots and it will be difficult to uproot it.

There will be opportunities to keep him growing ”.

The bishop's reply

Many have asked the

La Spezia-Sarzana-Brugnato,

, to review the suspension.

"Recalling his actions to the Magisterium is a must", said the prelate, explaining the reasons for the choice,

.

“I shared this thought with the bishop: I see so many positive fruits, if the tree has given so many good fruits was it worth cutting?

I do not leave the priesthood because he would mean agreeing with those who think that only those who see it as homologating can remain in the Church.

I will continue to express my thoughts ”said Don Giulio, then asking his parishioners to love the priest who will replace him and who celebrated mass today.