Italy: Prayer vigils for kidnapped missionary Fr Gigi

Fr Gigi

Source: SMA/Fides

Prayer vigils are being held in Italy for Father Pierluigi Maccalli, (Fr Gigi), a priest of the Society for African Missions (SMA), was kidnapped in Niger on 17 September 2018.

Saturday, June 15 was the 34th anniversary of Fr Gigi's ordination in the parish of Madignano. Among the initiatives organised to keep his memory alive and the hope of his release, the diocese of Crema organised a prayer and march vigil that started yesterday, at 9pm, from the Pieve of Palazzo Pignano to the Shrine of the Madonna delle Assi in Monte Cremasco.

Enrico Fantoni, Director of the Crema missionary centre said there have been many vigils and prayer events in parishes throughout the diocese since Fr Gigi was kidnapped.

"Father Gigi is remembered every evening in his parish of origin, in Madignano with the community prayer of the Rosary. There are two posters in Piazza Duomo: one from the Town Hall, the other from the Bishop's Palace which proclaim: 'Release Father Gigi.

The solidarity campaign in Lent 2019, was dedicated to raising funds for the construction of the secondary school in Bomoanga: a dream that Fr Maccalli spoke about a few days before he was abducted."

Fantoni concluded: "While we are anxiously waiting for good news from Niger, everyone hopes for his imminent release, ready to transform the next Vigil from a moment of remembrance to a moment of joy and thanksgiving."