A unanimous yes from the General Assembly of the CEI to the request, put forward by the Rosario Livatino Study Center, to elevate the “martyr judge” to the patron saint of the Italian judiciary. Of the judge, recognized as a “martyr of justice and faith” and beatified by Pope Francis in 2021, the bishops underline “the exemplary and timely nature of his message”. I also recall the words of Pope Leo who said of him: «With his unwavering commitment to justice, he testified that legality is not a set of rules, but a lifestyle, and therefore a possible path to holiness». After the approval of the Bishops, the request will be presented to the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints so that it can proceed to confirm the request. A choice that crowns the journey of a man who made the toga a garment of sanctity.
Livatino, killed by the mafia on 21 September 1990 at just 38 years old, was not just any magistrate. On his diaries he wrote the acronym STD (Sub tutela Dei)and tried to practice his profession with the utmost coherence. «When we die», he said, «we will not be asked if we were believers, but credible».
The general secretary of the CEI, Monsignor Giuseppe Baturi, in announcing the decision, explained that Livatino embodies the judge “faithful to the law and conscience, capable of resisting pressure and threats”.
If the Vatican accepts the request, Livatino will join other patrons of the law (such as Saint Thomas More, former protector of politicians and judges). However, it will be the first time that a magistrate killed by organized crime “in odium fidei” becomes a spiritual reference for the entire category. An invitation to administer justice without fear and compromise. With eyes turned to God and hands on the Constitution.
