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Minisheet: 25th Anniversary of the Death of Father Giuseppe Puglisi Scott 1673M (2018) On August 20, 2023, Pope Francis issued a letter in advance of the 30th anniversary of the murder and martyrdom of Blessed Father Giuseppe Puglisi, who was gunned down in Brancaccio, Palermo, Sicily, on September 15, 1993. In the words of The Most Reverend Michele Pennisi, archbishop of Monreale in Sicily and a strong opponent of the Mafia on the island: Father Puglisi was not a typical anti-Mafia priest. He did not organize rallies or make public condemnation of Mafia. [The] Mafia does not see that kind of priest as dangerous. [Puglisi was considered to be more dangerous] because he educated young people. Puglisi’s methods attempted to convince the youth of his parish to stay in school, get an education, and get involved in activities which kept them away from the Mafia, who would often use children to perform illegal acts such as drug trafficking. Father Puglisi’s actions were in many respects successful, which led to his being viewed as more of a treat to the local Mafia, leading to his assassination. In 2013, Father Giuseppe Puglisi, who was affectionately called ‘Don Pino’ by his parishioners, was beatified by Pope Benedict XVI, who recognized him as a martyr in 2012 for his work for the Church and his resulting murder. In 2018, Pope Francis went to Palermo to participate in the commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the death of Don Pino. In this year’s letter to Archbishop Corrado Lorefice of Palermo, the pope stated: Following the example of Jesus, Don Pino went all the way in love…[and] possessed the same traits of the meek and humble ‘good shepherd’: His boys, whom he knew one by one, are the testimony of a man of God who favored the small and defenseless, educated them to freedom, to love life and to respect it. There is an extensive Daily Email on Blessed Father Giuseppe Puglisi on October 21, his feast day, containing more on his life and ministry. REFERENCES: Hannah Brockhaus, Catholic News Agency, August 20, 2023, 'All the way in love’: Pope Francis praises example of Mafia-slain priest UFN, February 6, 2018, 25th Anniversary of the Death of Blessed Father Giuseppe Puglisi Vatican Philatelic Society, www.vaticanstamps.org, Stamp Database Search |
