Italy – Gunshots fired against “Don Bosco 2000 Association” migrant reception center

16 February 2018

(ANS - Pietraperzia) - On the night between Wednesday and Thursday, gunshots were fired at the headquarters of the "Don Bosco 2000 Association", a Salesian association that since last week has welcomed 20 migrants in a house made available by the local bishop. Gunshots were fired from outside, smashing a window and piercing an inside door. Fortunately, nobody was hit, but the migrants are shocked and frightened, as are the association's operators.

Agostino Sella, President of the association, declared: "This is an extremely vile gesture against young people who already have great difficulties. They are stunned by the shot of a shotgun fired in the middle of the night. We, however, won't let ourselves be intimidated and we will continue to do our reception work." He concludes: "Pietraperzia has proved to be a very welcoming city and we absolutely cannot understand the meaning of this ignoble gesture."

Over the past few days, in fact, there have been a number of local citizens visiting the association to offer their solidarity and their help to the housed migrants, voluntarily making themselves available to help us in the activities of integration.

Following this serious criminal act, the local authorities have decided to increase the number of Police and Carabinieri (Italian Military Police). While waiting for investigators to shed light on the perpetrators of the criminal act, yesterday, Thursday, February 15, Msgr. Rosario Gisana, bishop of the diocese of Piazza Armerina, wanted to celebrate a mass in the town of Pietraperzia together with the local clergy.

"We shall continue in our work of reception, sure that as always that good will prevail over evil", is the conclusion of the statement released by the Salesian association.

The Don Bosco 2000 Association promotes integration and reception, with special attention to those who live in situations of social, economic and intellectual hardship. Inspired by the Christian vision and the Salesian educational tradition, the association's work is articulated through four centers: in Piazza Armerina, in Aidone (according to a "broad or open" reception model), in Catania (dedicated to Non-Accompanied Foreign Minors) and Villarosa (in premises 

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