CORRIERA DELLA SERA: Moroccan’s neighbours say statue annoyed him. Northern League happy at immigrant’s change of heart. Mayor calls episode “unspeakable”. Case to be discussed by local council
CASATENOVO – “I’m pleased that the statue of the Virgin is back where it should be”, said a relieved Antonio Colombo yesterday evening. The mayor of Casatenovo was commenting on the removal of bricks sealing a niche at Cascina Rimoldo from which the Virgin has blessed passers-by for a hundred years. But in this corner of Brianza, in the province of Lecco, there is still a mood of shock and distress at the incident at Valaperta. It was two pensioners, Agnese and Angela, who saved the plaster Virgin from being walled up in its niche over the door of a Muslim immigrant’s home. “The Moroccan was irritated by the Virgin’s presence”, they explained as they returned the statue to its shrine. Mr Colombo, the Centre-left mayor, says he has reported the incident to the police and prefecture at Lecco so that any legal repercussions can be verified. After a visit by carabinieri to Valaperta yesterday, the other immigrant families who live in at Cascina Rimoldo removed the bricks to “avoid problems”. Nevertheless, the incident will be discussed by the municipal administration in the next few days after angry protests from the Northern League. Saving the Walled Virgin (more)
Mark Alexander
