Rome, Italy, Feb 21, 2005 / 22:00 pm
In the wake of the passing of Msgr. Don Luigi Giussani, President of the Communion and Liberation Movement this morning, numerous members of Italian politics and public life have expressed their condolences.
Italian president Carlo Azeglio Ciampi said of Giussani’s death, in a message to Signora Livia Giussani Sironi, "The news of the death of Don Luigi Giussani has effected me deeply. He was an extraordinary man of faith and culture who dedicated his existence to the education of new generations, working above all in the Communion and Liberation Movement that he founded more than 50 years ago.”
He contributed via his generous action to the promotion of the social and human maturation of many young people who saw him as their spiritual guide. 'Be ever more passionate about the mystery of man': this was his exhortation, his communication of the idea. A lesson of life that needs to continue to inspire the common commitment of the institutions and citizens in facing the challenges of the future. To family members and all those inspired by his noble example I send my condolences.”
Vice-president of the Italian parliament, Gianfranco Fini added, “A thoughtful and discrete man of the church has disappeared. He was a spiritual guide, capable of involve and fascinate the consciousnesses of many young people, by setting up a path of faith and a social responsibility for them to follow and go by.”