On 16 March 1978 the former Italian prime minister and president of the Christian Democrats, Aldo Moro, was kidnapped by Communist terrorists known as "The Second Red Brigade". The devout Catholic, Moro, was held hostage for two months, before his kidnappers killed him after conducting a mock trial.
During the negotiations for his release, Pope Paul VI even offered himself in exchange for Moro's life. After the former prime minster's body was discovered, riddled with bullets, on 9 May 1978, the Pope, who had been a close personal friend of his, attended a special memorial Mass in the Lateran Basilica. During his address at this event, the 80-year-old Pontiff addressed himself to God, saying: "You have not listened to our beseeching for the safe return of Aldo Moro, of this good, meek, innocent and friendly man."
Our new Apostolic Nuncio (see here), HE Archbishop Antonio Mennini, was the assistant priest of St Lucia's parish, Rome, at the time of Aldo Moro's kidnapping. As such, he also happened to be the former prime minster's personal confessor. Because of this, he was the only man allowed to visit Moro during his captivity. During his visits Don Mennini delivered letters to and from Moro and his family. He also helped with the negotiations between the kidnappers and Moro's supporters - which included the Pope. The Italian government refused to negotiate.
After the Red Brigade terrorists decided to "execute" Moro, following a kangaroo trial, Don Mennini was allowed to visit the former Italian prime minister one last time. During this visit Antonio Mennini heard Aldo Moro's last confession. Knowing that Mennini was being allowed to visit Moro, the Italian police tired to follow him to the Red Brigade's hiding-place. However, they were not successful in their attempts to discover where Aldo Moro was being held.
Archbishop Antonio Mennini's visits to Aldo Moro remain highly secretive, and the Holy See has shielded him from ever having to testify in subsequent state hearings concerning the former prime minister's abduction and murder. A diplomat's discretion rightly remains as inviolable as the seal of the confessional.
[Picture note: A photograph of Aldo Moro taken during his captivity. This photograph is in the public domain. As this photograph was taken by criminals whilst perpetrating a crime, the author - according to Italian law - holds no rights over the image]
2 comments:
Thanks for reporting this. I vaguely recall this at the time, although I was very young when it happened, I remember asking my Mother what it was about, understandably, she wouldn't tell me, as I would not be able to comprehend the seriousness of the crime. My family were very upset. Later on in years I read that Saint Padre Pio when he first met Aldo Moro (many times thereafter) remarked prophetically, 'Oh how much blood I see' he had already forseen the final hours of this Holy Man's life.
@ Anne
Thanks for your comment and the interesting fact about St Pio's meeting with Aldo Moro.
His last days form a really tragic story. But Moro's witness to faith, kindness and the importance of having a gentle spirit powerfully lives on.
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