Fr. Celso retained in Italy

Fr. Celso, due to come back at the end of this month, will be obliged to remain in Italy for treatment. He's got hepatitis C - a lever problem - and will have to undergo a period of observation and medical treatment. He wrote a letter to fr. Renato, saying that he feels very well and was not conscious of being sick.

We wish him fast recovery and assure our communion in prayer.

Father Renato meets the bishop of Tripoli, Mgr. Martinelli

It happened at the beginning of september 2011, in a beautiful holiday resort near Venice. Fr. Renato was spending a week at the seaside, when he got the chance of meeting Mgr. Martinelli, the bishop of Tripoli, in that same place. The reverend bishop was following a week-programme of rehabilitation for his right arm, which has become insensible. Fr. Renato, on the contrary, was attending a course of franciscan spirituality.

Fr. Renato, Mgr. Martinelli and sr. Rosina

The bishop told him of the difficult conditions in which his christians - all strictly foreigners, since the country is islamic at 99% - are living in the country, the innumerable sacrifices they have to face in order to keep their faith alive and strong. His Church is really a community in time of persecution.