The national president of Acli in Ragusa to meet local leaders

The Acli of Ragusa welcomed national president Emiliano Manfredonia yesterday afternoon, in the city to participate in a discussion promoted by the Democratic Party on the "no" to the referendum.

Before the public initiative, the leader of the Acli met at the provincial headquarters on via Sant'Anna with executives, sector leaders, and representatives of the various associative branches, in a moment of dialogue dedicated to the role of the association and the participation of the territories in the national life of the movement.

During the meeting, the significant presence of Ragusa leaders in the central bodies was emphasized. Among those who participated in the meeting were: Agata Aiello, regional president of Acli Sicily and member of the national presidency; Rosario Cavallo, president of Fap; Giuseppe Miracula, regional president of Acli Terra; Aldo Pulvino, provincial president of Us Acli Ragusa; Gabriele Occhipinti, national member of Acli Terra and national councilor; Martina Cavallo, from the national youth coordination; and Mariangela D'Agosta, provincial president of Acli Ragusa.

In her speech, Agata Aiello recalled the commitment of the national presidency to advance key themes such as peace and democracy, defining them as "courageous choices in a complex time," and emphasized how the territories today feel more listened to and involved.

Rosario Cavallo highlighted the importance of conscious and responsible participation, emphasizing the closeness of the national president to local realities and the value of direct dialogue with leaders and volunteers.

Manfredonia outlined the reasons that led the Acli to support the establishment of a civil society committee for the "no" to the referendum, specifying that an autonomous initiative from parties and professional categories was chosen to avoid the debate being perceived as a partisan contest. The goal, he clarified, is to involve the citizenry, promote a broad and non-polarized discussion, and bring back to the center the value of democratic participation.

The national president also recalled some historical passages that have marked the institutional evolution of the country, noting how past mistakes have paved the way for reforms that today risk altering the balance of powers in the State. He expressed concern for a conception of democracy reduced to the mere dimension of voting, reminding that "democracy is built day by day, through the balance between legislative, executive, and judicial power, and above all through listening to people and their needs".

He then addressed the theme of the role of Catholics in the public space, clarifying that the Acli do not claim to represent "the Catholics" as such, but act as a association of committed Christians, guided by conscience and the will to contribute to the common good. "Those who claim to represent all Catholics – he noted – inevitably end up dividing".

The meeting concluded with a mutual thank you between local representatives and the national president, in an atmosphere of collaboration and sharing of the challenges that await the association in the coming months.