The last farewell to Basilio Saladdin, killed for defending his wife and daughter. Archbishop Gian Franco Saba: “A great pain for the whole community”
PORTO TORRES. At the entrance to the church of Cristo Risorto yesterday afternoon, February 8, there was the herald of the National Police State Association – Sassari section – to honor an esteemed servant of the homeland which was Basilio Saladdin. A policeman, a husband, a father, a grandfather, who fell in an attempt to defend the women of his family from a murderous hand. The coffin entered the church between two wings of the crowd – colleagues from the fixed police post, carabinieri and the divers section of the fire brigade – and to welcome him near the altar were the archbishop of Sassari Gian Franco Saba and the parish priest don Michele Murgia. There were many outside and inside the church accompanying Basilio Saladdino, 75, on his last earthly journey: “The bishop heard the cry of pain of the community and family members – said Don Murgia – and he is here among us”.
Monsignor Saba prayed before the homily for the wife and daughter of Basilio Saladdino, Caterina Mancusa and Ilaria, hospitalized in the intensive care unit at the “Santissima Annunziata” hospital in Sassari. «The Gospel reminds us of an important thing – the bishop emphasized -, that when you pray you must not waste words because the Lord, more than anyone, knows what is in the heart of man. These families, these people, but the whole community of Porto Torres, are suffering from great pain ».
Monsignor Saba then recalled: “I preside over this Eucharistic function after the recent and long pastoral visit to the parish communities (Spirito Santo, San Gavino, Beata Vergine della Consolata, Cristo Risorto) and to the city”. “I was able to see how important it is that each person, from their own point of view and perspective, can spend their energies, their strengths, their intelligence, their heart, to take care of others. What does this mean? According to a sermon of our time, it means eliminating the intolerable, reducing a pain, satisfying a need, realizing a dream. It means entering a new relationship perspective. The presence of the bishop here today is like that of the father of a family who comes to his community towards his children, to indicate to activate the processes and new relationships. “Reassuring words in a room full of pain and sadness, which is unable to forget what happened a few weeks earlier in the lower part of Via Principessa Giovanna.
The many relatives, friends, colleagues or simple acquaintances present at the funeral ceremony recalled the goodness of soul and kindness of the policeman who fell as a hero. The knowledge of him relating to others in work and in social life. His infinite love for his family, which led him to sacrifice his life to defend his loved ones from a criminal action, a few meters from home. The silent march to allow the entire city community to gather around the Saladdino family and express the closeness and warmth of the Turrian city after the terrible tragedy has been suspended. The council commission on Social Policies and Equal Opportunities, on the theme “Women today and tomorrow”, has also been moved to next week. © breaking latest news