The handover took place in recent days at the Parish of San Benedetto in Lamezia Terme, Italy, through the efforts of the Knights of Merit Maurizio Capano, Councillor of the Calabria Delegation, and Paolo Bagalà, representing the Section of the City of Lamezia Terme. Present at the delivery were the Director of the Diocesan Caritas of Oppido Mamertina-Palmi, Dr. Michele Vomera, and the Section Chaplain, Father Domenico Cicione Strangis, Chaplain of Merit, who welcomed the participants.
Logistical operations were coordinated by the Knights of Merit with Silver Star, Dr. Domenico D’Auria and Prof. Roberto Maria Naso Nàccari Carlizzi, respectively Secretary General and Head of Communications as well as Officer for Cultural Activities of the Calabria Delegation.
The initiative originated following discussions between the Calabria Delegation and the President of the Calabrian Episcopal Conference, the Most Reverend Fortunato Morrone, Metropolitan Archbishop of Reggio Calabria-Bova. In expressing his gratitude for the “care and sensitivity shown,” he suggested that the footwear donation be directed to the Diocese of Oppido Mamertina-Palmi, entrusted to the pastoral care of Bishop Giuseppe Alberti.
Through this initiative, the Calabria Delegation of the Order continues its mission of closeness to those most in need, thanks to the commitment of its Knights and Dames, supporting ecclesial institutions that, through soup kitchens, food banks, and the distribution of clothing and footwear, provide daily relief to the hardships faced by many Calabrian families.
The footwear delivered through the Section of the City of Lamezia Terme to the Caritas of the Diocese of Oppido Mamertina-Palmi came from a larger donation entrusted to the Calabria Delegation for distribution to those in need.
Words of appreciation for the initiative were expressed by the Delegate ad interim for Calabria, H.E. Count Gianluigi Gaetani dell’Aquila d’Aragona dei Duchi di Laurenzana (of the Dukes of Laurenzana), Patrician of Naples, Knight of Justice, who stated: “With this initiative we intend to reaffirm our constant commitment to supporting the dioceses of Calabria. This is a path that will continue with further initiatives in favor of those in need, supporting not only Caritas but also other organizations that work daily in service of the most vulnerable.”
