At the event for Europe on Saturday 15 March in Rome there was also: Sister Nadia Bonaldo, 65, who marched with the Flag of Peace together with the crowd of 50 thousand. The selfie that triggered on that occasion, posted on Facebook, aroused conflicting reactions: from “Brava Nadia” to “But do you rest the rearmament?”. Yet the Catholic presence at the event was strong: many realities were represented in the square, between associations and movements. From Catholic Action to Agesci (Association of Italian Catholic Guides and Scouts), from the Community of Sant’Egidio to Communion and Liberation. But a nun who parades in the procession turns on curiosity and comments are not wasted: next to thousands of demonstrators with the Manifesto of Ventotene, the founding text of the federalism, what was a Pauline nun in the company of some sisters? Here’s what he replied.
Sister Nadia, why was it in the square at the event of March 15?
I was in the area with some of my sisters, who came from all over the world (Bolivia, Cameroon) and we joined the crowd. However, even if I had been alone, I would have participated equally. Because for us Paoline attend the squares is almost a duty.
In what sense a duty?
In the sense that it is very important to be in the midst of people: it is in the squares that we can listen to, understand, speak and confront each other with people, especially with those who think differently from us. Even if you don’t share a thought, it is not a good reason not to participate, not to be there.
His presence on that occasion, however, aroused hostile reactions on social media …
It is the risk that the freedom of expression involves, of which fortunately we enjoy in this country. But it doesn’t matter, I respect everyone’s thought and I don’t want to feed the controversy. Has a nun to an event for Europe seem out of place? And why? It is precisely there that we nuns have to be there. Turning to Rome that afternoon I entered several churches: all deserted. So I said to myself: it is in the squares, where people live, suffer and struggle for their rights that I have to be there.
How did people react next to her?
Very well, I was in bourgeois so nobody would understand that I am a nun, but my sisters brought the veil and therefore we were noticed. However, people were pleasantly impressed by the fact that even religious also participated in the event. In the common imagination we should spend our days closed in church to pray, far from people’s problems, but our prayer is much more effective if we walk together with others and talk to them.
Why did you choose to parade in a procession for Europe?
I also took to the streets because I want a united Europe, not a set of states that actually act against their own. A Europe capable of safeguarding the values of democracy and freedom. This is the first motivation, but it is not the only one.
What other reason has pushed him to the square?
The strongest of all, the desire for peace. My generation did not experience the war in first person and benefited from the economic boom and conquests achieved by those who came before us, like the freedom to say what we think. They are very high values that we now take for granted but that many have cost life. So I would like to fight for a free and peaceful Europe, a solidarity Europe, an expression of these conquests. A truly inclusive Europe, also attentive to the most vulnerable fringes.
Many Catholic realities, associations, movements have taken part in the event …
Yes, the Catholic presence was very strong. It was a transversal event, with many souls who marched together. This is why I didn’t feel out of place at all. Although some have even interpreted it as a gesture in favor of rearmament.
What responds to these criticisms?
I respect those who think differently but perhaps judge superficially. We must repudiate the war with all our strength, focusing on the other hand on the true force to be enhanced in the relationships between the countries: diplomacy. To arm yourself, you are soon, instead to weave the threads of dialogue between the nations it takes time and skill. And there is still a lot of work on this front.
He alludes to our political class?
I allude to the fact that the new generations should be instructed with real politics, in the Greek sense of the term. To form people capable of acting for the common good, in the interest of all. Also in Christian culture we have examples to refer to, just think for example of the schools started by the Jesuits Bartolomeo Sorge, Ennio Pintacuda, Francesco Occhetta and by lay people like Enrico Letta. Today perhaps this is the spark that is missing. I believe that to build peace is from there that you have to start, from diplomacy.
And could Jesus be considered a master of diplomacy?
Jesus frequented the roads, this is certain. Today he would have manifested on many occasions. On the other hand, just think of the disciples he had chosen: so far from him, from his thought and so different from each other. Today he would probably have been invited to dinner by the mafia (we remember Zaccheo, the head of the publicians), because it is for sinners that he came, not to save the righteous. So we have to be careful: by feeding the divisions between peoples we do nothing but show that we are the Pharisees. This is the message of Jesus, so revolutionary that it has remained still partially misunderstood.
If he had lived today, would he have been a Europeanist?
More than Europeanist, I would say “World Cup”: the first term would have been a little reductive for him.
