Roma, May 23, 2012. [BIA Adventist News]. At dawn on Sunday, May 20, the earth shook for twenty long seconds in northern Italy. An earthquake with a magnitude somewhat smaller than the one that destroyed L'Aquila three years ago. The epicenter was recorded in the Emilia-Romagna region, in the provinces of Modena, Bologna and Ferrara. There were seven people dead and dozens wounded. A lot of damages also occurred to homes and to the artistic heritage buildings of the area. The aftershocks continued throughout the day, causing crashes and keeping the people apprehensive. 4,000 people are currently displaced, according to figures updated by the Civil Protection of Emilia-Romagna. They will set up another 1,500 modules in the care of Modena, one of the most affected provinces. In Crevalcore, close to Bologna, a shelter was set up and is mainly occupied by immigrants.
The adventist pastors of the churches in the affected areas, together with the humanitarian organization ADRA Italy, contacted the Civil Protection of the territory with any requests for emergency aid. "I have not received reports of damage to Adventist churches and members. Only one family of the church in Bologna has been evacuated and is currently staying with friends. However, there is a willingness to host this family at the church itself" said Franca Zucca, responsible for ADRA Italy.
The Adventist Church is praying and keeping close to the families who lost loved ones and to those suffering from this disaster. "We pray for these people in discomfort so that they may be properly assisted. We also pray for the rescuers, so that their actions would carried out with speed and accuracy," said Franca Zucca.
Dismay at the heinous assassination of Brindisi
The Seventh Day Adventist Church manifests, along with everyone else, its dismay at the heinous attack which occurred in Brindisi last Saturday.
Only sick minds can think of crimes of this kind. Sick, yes, but not isolated.
The massacres in schools, a phenomenon sadly known for some time in the United States, has become in recent years increasingly recurrent in Europe, especially in countries with high civilization and democracy like Britain, Germany, Finland, Belgium, Norway, France.
Now, even Italy has experienced these acts of cowardice staggering towards defenseless girls. Whatever the reasons behind these unmotivated murders done by perverse minds, the answer can only be one of condemnation.
Unfortunately not all our young people can always be protected, it is the duty of all social, civil and religious institutions to stand on the side of justice, supporting every courageous stance, like that of the Association "Libera".
Therefore, we express affection and sympathy to the 'Bassi'-family, that tragically lost their daughter Melissa, and other families of injured girls. We also condemn any act of violence.
The period that Italy and Europe are experiencing is very difficult, but the way to deal with the crisis is the reaffirmation of the values, the pursuit of the common good and solidarity with those affected in a significant way.
