At 8:30 pm, last September 15, 2020, Bishop Oscar Cantoni, bishop of Como diocese, northern Italy, presided over the recitation of the Rosary at the local cathedral, to pray for the spirit. pastor Roberto Malgesini, was stabbed to death by an immigrant around 7 a.m. that same day.
Father Roberto Malgesini, 51 years old, is the parish priest of Saint Rocco, a man who is very dedicated to helping those most in need. His father's killer was a 53-year-old immigrant, originally from Tunis, with a mental illness, who was put to sleep by Father Roberto in a parish room for the homeless.
He stabbed his father several times with a knife, including one in the neck. Father died on a street near the parish. The killer turned himself in to the police shortly after.
“We are proud as bishops and as a Church of a priest who gave his life for Jesus in the last,” said Bishop Cantoni. I am convinced that Father Roberto is a “saint at the door next door, because of his simplicity, because of the love he goes out to everyone, because of the esteem he has received from so many people, including those who are not. not a believer and not a Christian, for the fraternal help and solidarity that I wanted to give to everyone in this city, which is in dire need of learning about solidarity because this is the new name of peace. jar".
The local newspaper Prima la Valtellina, reported the statement of Luigi Nessi, a volunteer working with Father Roberto Malgesini, saying: “Father Roberto is a man who lives the Gospel every day, all the time. Father is a special expression of our community.”
Father Andrea Messaggi told La Stampa newspaper: “Father Roberto was a simple man, he just wanted to be a priest and a few years ago he made that clear to the former bishop of the diocese. Como. So he was sent to the parish of St. Rocco. Every morning, Father brought hot breakfast to the last. Here, everyone knows Father Robert and they love him.”
(CNA 15-9-2020)