The choice of day is fitting. In the school calendar, January 20th is dedicated to the Day of Respect in memory of Willy Monteiro Duarte, the young man killed in 2020 while trying to defend a friend from an attack .
Just yesterday, at the Cabras middle school, there was talk of violence, bullying, and attacks against the most vulnerable . This was also in light of the recent sad episodes that have occurred in Cabras .
These are topics that were addressed during Archbishop Roberto Carboni's pastoral visit to Cabras . Yesterday, he met with students at the Via Trieste campus, led by principal Paolo Figus. The face-to-face meeting lasted nearly two hours, with questions, reflections, and plenty of advice for their future.
It was the students themselves who asked Monsignor Carboni why the teenagers were so aggressive.
"Young people aren't bad, let's be clear," Carboni said. "We need to ask ourselves what kind of families are behind these kids. Are they present parents? Do they understand their needs? Maybe not. This is precisely the problem. I'm talking about parents, but in general, all of us adults. If this happens in society, it's because none of us have listened to them. Young people often make mistakes because they can't express themselves in other ways. We must therefore stop and understand what is tormenting them. We must take a step towards them." Carboni then gets to the point: "Many kids have been abandoned to their tablets and social media, tools that don't provide adequate answers to their needs." He then makes an appeal: "Your teachers are also ready to listen to you; they are part of your cultural growth."
Carboni is clear about the improper use of cell phones: "It's like a knife: it's useful for cutting, but it can kill. This tool must be used wisely, ethically . And not to harm others. Don't forget the importance of cultivating relationships with real people, not virtual ones."
Monsignor Carboni was asked many questions throughout the morning. When asked if, at 12 years old, he was a believer, he immediately responded yes. Someone asked him what peace means to him: "Not having aggressive thoughts toward people," he said, "not doing harm." An unexpected question: "How much are priests paid? About €1,300; the archbishop a little more."
Then there were those who asked what the biggest challenge would be for them: "Finding work. But only with training, culture, and knowledge can we move forward."
