Mattarella appoints 30 Bishops of the Republic. Awarded to young people who helped fleeing Ukrainians

Solidarity and acceptance. These are the words that animated the thirty young men named Bishops of the Republic from Sergio Mattarella. The Head of State awarded the certificate of honor to young people who have become protagonists of gestures of “cooperation, friendship and inclusion”. From the Quirinale it is underlined that “solidarity for peace is the prevailing theme that inspired the choice of the young Alfieri. The selection among many deserving ones was oriented towards enhancing solidarity behaviors and actions, now in the context of welcoming Ukrainian children fleeing the war, now through other gestures of friendship, cooperation, inclusion so that diversities never become barriers”.

But the thirty bishops are not isolated cases, because “the chosen witnesses are not examples of rare actions – explains the press release from the Quirinale – but are emblematic of widespread behavior among young people, who illustrate a mosaic of civic virtues of which, fortunately “, our communities are rich. The stories of the Bishops of the Republic can therefore also be seen as the tip of a large iceberg that represents, in every territory, the daily life of young people”.

The bishops appointed by Mattarella are: Mario Amatuzio, Viola Badinu, Alezander Bani, Aniello Capuano, Alessandro Cuomo, William D’Alascio, Maddalena Da Rozze, Zaccaria Dellai, Francesca Di Sabatino, Luigi Falconi, Maria Grazia Fragale, Deborah Maria Insertillo, Diletta Lago, Anna Assunta Lombardi, Chiara Longo, Gulia Martinello, Gioele Mazzone, Elisaveta Petronela Merfu, Beatrice Papei Allori, Ettore Prà, Andrea Premoli, Josephine Riccio, Giulia Rossi, Simone Rovere Meloni, Giovanni Scialdone, Sokona Souare, Francesco Spataro, Riccardo Maria Jules Van Lysebetten, Riccardo Yanovskyy, Tommaso Zotti.

Furthermore, Mattarella has awarded four plaques for collective actions that intend to enhance the active and heartfelt participation of young people, also in order to encourage their more conscious protagonism.

The stories

Mario Amatuzio, 18 year old from Bojano, received the certificate of Bishop of the Republic “for the voluntary action carried out especially in favor of elderly people during the most acute phase of the pandemic, and for the commitment with which he contributes to inclusion at school and contrasts bullying. Mario stood out particularly during the Covid period for his altruism and voluntary commitment, delivering food and medicines to lonely elderly people at home, and keeping them company in his spare time”.

Viola Bandinua 19-year-old from Olbia, a young Red Cross volunteer, was chosen “for the mature commitment with which she participates as a volunteer in after-school projects and activities for younger children. Her ability to listen and welcome the most vulnerable has allowed her also to become an example for other volunteers”.

The 11 year old Alexander Bani (from Città di Castello) stood out “for the solidarity and friendship shown towards little Sasha, a Ukrainian child who fled the conflict and was a guest of an Italian family for a few months. Alexander has a Russian mother and attends primary school.

Aniello Capuano, 19 years old from Siano, he is Bishop of the Republic “for the tenacity with which he faced the disease that struck him as a child, managing to draw strength to engage in the dissemination of knowledge on facioscapulohumeral dystrophy and to support scientific research. Using his computer skills, he created a channel youtube about it”.

Alexander Cuomoalso 11 years old from Rome, stood out “for the civic sense shown in giving prompt help to a lady, victim of a theft. He courageously chased after the two thieves, helped to bring one of them to justice and managed to bring victim the wallet that had been stolen from her.

“For the commitment and generosity with which, in the most difficult phases of the pandemic, he made sure that his classmates, forced into the house by the virus, did not fall behind in the study program, by handing them ‘homework’ homework, like a real postman”, the Quirinale also chose the 11-year-old William D’Alascio of Crespina Lorenzana.

The 17 year old Madeleine of Rozze (Sedico) received the certificate “for the dignity and strong sense of responsibility with which she takes care of her sick mother every day. Her maturity allowed her to save her mother’s life when, faced with a sudden aggravation, was able to immediately activate the emergency services”.

Zaccaria Dellai, The 12-year-old from Laveis has shown “attention towards the elderly also through the creation of a comic that sees them as protagonists. He has continued to commit himself to the theme of intergenerational exchange, involving the association to which he belongs”.

Frances Di Sabatino of Isola del Gran Sasso, has provided “voluntary service performed in favor of children and the weakest people. His commitment is an example of active citizenship and expresses the sentiment of an entire community that has decided to react together and get up after the earthquake of 2016”.

But among the new Alfieri there is anhce Louis Falconiborn in 2003 from Latina, who “was able to transform his difficulties into opportunities, demonstrating how differences are a wealth for everyone. For having put his computer skills at the service of an association that is committed to an “inclusive sport. he is let down by his difficulties, related to an autism spectrum disorder”.

Maria Grazia Fragala, of Serrastretta, has demonstrated “For the testimony of “solidarity in its various activities. You have encouraged the integration of a Ukrainian girl into the class and helped some Ukrainian refugees to learn the Italian language”.

Deborah Maria Insertilloa 20-year-old from Termini Imerese, carries out voluntary work at the Banco Alimentare “with which he testifies to the importance of sharing and giving”.

Dear Lake was awarded “for the unconditional friendship with which she helped a classmate with disabilities in social interaction. The sensitivity shown is also reflected in the delicacy of her writing which led her to invent a fairy tale for children for which she received an important recognition”.

Anna Assunta Lombardia 14-year-old resident in Almese, offered a testimony of solidarity “by quickly learning sign language. Her commitment favored the integration of a deaf classmate from Mali. Their beautiful story demonstrates how friendship can break down so many barriers “.

Clare Longo she stood out “for the commitment and competence with which she deals with both major environmental issues and the defense of women’s rights. With her blog she has contributed to making known the tragedy that the Ukrainian people are experiencing”.

Julia Martinello (born in 2004 and lives in San Pietro in Gu) volunteered “for a Bosnian community which, years later, has still not managed to forget the horror of war. A testimony of concrete solidarity, achieved by giving up the summer holiday period”.

Joel Mazzone (born in 2005 and resident in Cengio with “tenacity and civic sense, she promotes and supports awareness campaigns on issues related to the protection of the territory, climate change and environmental sustainability”.

Beatrice Papei Allori (born in 2005 and lives in Genoa) “thanks to her writing and her creativity, she tries to convey to her peers the value of memory, in particular the memory of the horrors of the Shoah. So that humanity may never again fall into that abyss” .

Ettore Prà, from Monteforte d’Alpone he demonstrated “sportsmanship and a sense of solidarity demonstrated when he stopped to help an opponent who had fallen disastrously during a cycling competition”.

Andrea Premoli (born in 2004 and lives in Milan) offered “support in his schooling to a disabled classmate and for the friendship he was able to build with him, facilitating his integration into the group of peers. For the commitment with which , also through social media, tries to raise awareness on disability issues”.

Josephine Riccioborn in 2006 and suffering from a disabling disease, has made a “daily testimony of the indispensable and positive value of diversity. Her tenacity is an example offered to everyone to counter prejudice and marginalization”.

Julia Rossi, born in 2004, is a volunteer of the Blue Cross of Modena. “The solidarity and commitment demonstrated despite the young age are an example of how each of us can contribute to improving the life of the community”.

Simone Rovere Meloniborn in 2003, reacted with “courage and perseverance to the loss of part of his flock following a dramatic flood. The solidarity received gave him the strength to get up and to continue doing the work he had chosen for his future” .

John Scialdoneborn in 2004, has practiced “without hesitation resuscitation maneuvers on a person in cardiac arrest saving his life. For the constancy with which he is committed to a work of raising awareness of the value of life-saving maneuvers and the culture of rescue”.

Sokona Souare, born in Mali and arrived in Italy at the age of 9 after a grueling journey through Libya and the Mediterranean route, is among the new Alfieri “for the courage and determination with which she faces her disability. For the desire to communicate that she succeeds to pass on, and the friendship she managed to build”. At the age of 4 she became deaf from untreated meningitis.

Francis Spataro with his voluntary work at the Banco Alimentare “he tries to make his peers aware of the importance of sharing and the value of food”.

Richard Maria Jules Van Lysebettenborn in 2003 and a Red Cross volunteer, stood out “for his volunteering activity which has never failed in the most acute phases of the pandemic. The solidarity contribution of which he is capable, despite a disability, has made him an example for many”.

Riccardo Yanovskyy he demonstrated “generosity of spirit and testimony of solidarity and acceptance shown towards fellow Ukrainians fleeing the war, especially a contemporary who arrived in Italy in the initial stages of the conflict”.

Tommaso Zotti he was awarded “for the promptness with which he faced an emergency situation, caused by the illness of the driver of a school bus. Thanks to his intervention, all the occupants of the vehicle managed to save themselves”.