Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Fides Service) - In the afternoon of Sunday 26 September the vice regent of Rome diocese Bishop Luigi Moretti, will bless the first open air church in Italy built for Rom and Sinti gypsies. The place of worship, situated in the grounds of the capital’s famous Marian shrine Divino Amore just outside the city ring road, will be dedicated to the first gypsy to be raised to the honour of the altar, Blessed Ceferino Giménez Malla. Among those present, the Rom and Sinti Catholic communities in Rome as well as representatives of Orthodox and Muslim gypsy communities and pastoral workers of the local Caritas mission among Rom and Sinti Catholics.
This open air place of worship for the pastoral care of nomad Catholics, is the first in Italy, and one of the few in the rest of the world. The date of the inauguration is an important anniversary for Catholic gypsies. In effect on 26 September 1965 Pope Paul VI said Mass for thousands of gypsies from all over Europe gathered for an international tent meeting in the town of Pomezia, just south of Rome.
During the Mass on Sunday next Bishop Moretti will consecrate the altar and unveil a bronze statue of Blessed Ceferino Giménez Malla, sculptured by an Italian Rom. He will also bless a stone erected to commemorate gypsies who died at the hands of the Nazi fascists in world war II.
Ceferino Giménez Malla (1861-1936) of Catalan gypsy origin, was known for his religious fervour and his loving care of the sick and the dying. During the Spanish civil war he was executed by a firing squad for his devotion to the rosary prayer and died with the cry “long live Christ the King!” on his lips. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II on 4 May 1997. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 22/9/2004; Righe 18 Parole 243)
