A bishop who never forgot the least. Monsignor Raffaele Nogaro, who celebrated his 92nd birthday last December 31st, passed away on the day of the epiphany. The news arrived via Facebook from the bishop of Caserta, Monsignor Pietro Lagnese. «Dear brothers and sisters of the Church of Caserta, with deep sorrow I announce to you that a few moments ago Monsignor Raffele Nogaro ended his earthly day» wrote the prelate. «We entrust Father Nogaro to the mercy of God and thank the Lord for having given him to all of us»
Born in Sedegliano (Udine) and ordained a priest in 1958, he had held various positions in his region before being sent to Campania in 1982. First in Sessa Aurunca and then in Caserta, Monsignor Nogaro had become a true southerner. Just two years after entering Caserta he had a center built for the reception of migrants. He had then dealt with the problems of Castel Volturno and the fight against the Camorra several times. With Monsignor Tonino Bello and Monsignor Luigi Bettazzi, in February 1994, he went to the former Yugoslavia for a peace action in the midst of the war. A convinced pacifist, a profound connoisseur of what he considered “my land”, Monsignor Nogaro was a point of reference for educators, children, believers and non-believers, the needy, migrants, the poor, institutions. His last public act, last September, was to participate, even if not physically, in the “priests against genocide network” in defense of the civilian population of Gaza. He had signed his support even though his health and age did not allow him to participate in the demonstration. He died on the day of the Epiphany, a “manifestation”, as the Pope recalled. And, as often happens for the righteous, even the day of his birth in heaven becomes a message for those who remain. “Manifestation” of the Lord, as he tried to be, for himself and for those who knew him, every day of his life.
