“If they unfairly don't give you a house, then occupy it.” The words of Don Giusto Della Valle, a priest from Rebbo (Como), written in black and white in the periodical distributed to the faithful of the parish he manages, become a coincidence.
In his editorial, Don Giusto starts by analyzing the situation in Como where, in his opinion, if you are a migrant you cannot find a home. The parish priest painfully notes the gap on the lake between those who sleep in five-star hotels and those who sleep under the stars, points out the municipal spaces that are closed to reception and does not hesitate to define it as "a Pontius Pilate attitude" that of those who administer them and wash their hands of them because - they argue - using them would remove electoral consensus.
Then, after underlining that "when we don't unite to achieve objectives, those in charge profit from it", the priest makes some proposals for the right to housing.
The first is aimed at the unions of Como: "Fight, don't adapt to the capitalist system." The second is aimed «at those who temporarily administer the city of Como to entrust the non-compliant municipal apartments not to the Aler but to the city associations that are able to bring the apartments themselves up to standard».
For example, the parish of Rebbio "is able to bring about ten apartments up to standard every year and decide on their destination with the Municipality".
Finally, «as a last option» - and this is the passage that has caused discussion in Como and beyond - «if any family entitled to a house finds themselves put on the street, I propose to go to the parish house in Rebbio so that they can be given list of empty municipal apartments...so that what is unfairly not given is occupied. I will give them a hand to get in, I will introduce them to the neighbors, I will invite them to respect the rules of the condominium and if there are any electricity cuts I will call Pope Francis' almoner for help. Dear greetings and good fight - the editorial concludes - so that everyone has a home".
(Unioneonline/lf)