On March 19, 1994 Don Giuseppe Diana was killed by the Camorra. He was about to celebrate mass in the Church of San Nicola di Bari, in the province of Caserta, when he was hit by five bullets.
This parish priest from Campania was one of the symbols of his commitment in the fight against the mafia because during his life he had denounced the illicit traffic carried out by the Camorra, part of the Italian criminal organization among the most famous: the Camorra. He had become like a danger to the Campania clans, among which those of Caserta, where he resided in Casal di Principe.
The day after his death, Pope John Paul II pronounced the following words during the Angelus: "I feel the need to express, once again, the deep sorrow aroused in me at the news of the killing of Don Giuseppe Diana, parish priest of the diocese of Aversa, struck by ruthless murderers as he was preparing to celebrate Holy Mass. In deploring this new, heinous crime, I invite you to join me in prayer of suffrage for the soul of the generous priest, engaged in pastoral service to his people".
According to the reconstruction of the facts, it was learned that Don Diana had refused to celebrate the funeral in the church of a gangster. Three days later, the latter's nephew killed him, for "wronging him immediately.
We would like to remember the testimony of this person who, like many others, did not hesitate to take sides in the fight against the Mafia. He was also awarded the gold medal for civil valor by the Quirinal as "a noble example of the highest ideals of justice and human solidarity".
Marta Annalisa Savino
Laureata magistrale in "Relazioni Internazionali", appassionata di scrittura, viaggi, lingue tra cui inglese, francese e spagnolo, politica internazionale e geopolitica. Il suo focus di interesse è sul Nord America e sui suoi rapporti con il resto del mondo. Autrice di "Framing the World.
Master's Degree in "International Relations", keen on writing, travelling, languages including english, french, spanish, international politics and geopolitics. Her focus of interest is North America and its relationship with the rest of the world. Author of "Framing the World".