News of the death today of Life Senator and former Prime Minister of Italy Giulio Andreotti has gone around the world but I wonder how many of you have read or heard of the death yesterday of a quiet and courageous woman? Agnese Borsellino, widow of the anti-Mafia judge Paolo Borsellino, murdered in 1992, died in Palermo at the age of 71 after a long illness which she bore with dignity and acceptance.
Agnese Borsellino never wavered in her fight to find out the truth about her husband's murder and, when ill health prevented her from attending some of the demonstartions organised in support of her cause, she chose to send a message to young people, saying that, despite all that had happened and some moments of doubt, she continued to believe in the democratic institutions of her country, as had her husband. In a rare interview which she gave to ANSA last year, signora Borsellino remembered that her husband's sense of duty had led him to ask himself, every evening, whether he had earned his state salary that day. His conscientiousness, sadly, cost him his life.
Mourners in Palermo applauded Agnese Borsellino's coffin as it was carried from the church of Santa Luisa di Marillac this morning and the service was attended by both national and regional government representatives. Governor of Sicily Rosario Crocetta said that signora Borsellino, who had been deeply aware of the injustices which exist in Italian society, had been an example of courage, strength and values. He said that she and her husband belonged to all who believe in justice.
7 comments:
Very sad but bravo to this brave lady ♥ xx
Fine woman. She'll live on in history.
I do still vividly remember those days in May and July 1992, when Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino and their escorts got murdered.
Since I do the more admire the courage of those who speak out, stand up to or even fight the (structures of) organised crime.
May signora Borsellino rest in peace.
And, as you say, goes mostly unheralded. Sad.
What an impressive woman.
Yeah they need someone to speak out. Doesn't say much about the state of the world when Italy, in the EU is in such a state... and so is Britain, though we hide it better.
I've just finished reading The Wild Swans by Jung Chang and I'm so glad not to be Chinese!
Hi, Anne. Yes, a very brave lady. Hi, James. Yes, I'm sure she will. Hello, Sean. I remember that time well, too. Those men were incredibly courageous. Hi, Lee. Yes, that is very sad. Hi, Liz. Yes, indeed. I agree, Gleds. That book was a real eye-opener, wasn't it?
Post a Comment