Adnkronos (Adnkronos) – The Maria Regina church in Squinzano (Lecce) is packed, where the funeral of Lorena Isceri, the 45-year-old woman who died after being thrown from an A1 viaduct near Barberino del Mugello by her ex-boyfriend Federico Vella, 36, who later committed suicide, began at 17 p.m.
About 40 mayors were present, including Fabio Tarantino, President of the Province of Lecce.
Regional Councilor Stefano Minerva will be speaking on behalf of the Puglia Region. Outside, many residents are following the ceremony on a giant screen.
"We are here, many of us. Not only because we knew Lorena, but also because we loved her as her friends, relatives, and acquaintances. We are also here because, if possible, we would like to share a piece of this family's grief," said parish priest Don Vanni Bisconti during his homily at Lorena Isceri's funeral.
“We would like to take away at least some of that suffering from mom, dad, and his brother,” he added. “We would like to be able to tell you that you are not alone.
You don't have to bear this pain alone. We know that no pain and no person can take away the pain of losing a son or daughter from a father or mother. No one can fill this void that we can't be with. We can cry together. We can pray together, and let's at least make this immense, heartbreaking suffering our own.
This is what it means to be a community."
And then again: "We can't simply dismiss what happened as the act of a madman. Certainly, those who kill always assume a great responsibility. But all of us as a society, as adults, as educators, as parents, as schools, as members of the Church's communications."
"At this time, silence is the most appropriate way to express condolences, affection, and closeness to the family. Lorena is an open wound that will never heal in the hearts of our community and all of Italy," said Squinzano Mayor Mario Pede, speaking to reporters in front of the Maria Regina Church. The town, decorated with ribbons, sheets, and red balloons, is expressing its solidarity with the family: her father Franco Isceri, her mother Antonietta Argentiero, and her brother Danilo. In addition to the day of mourning proclaimed by the mayor for today, a torchlight procession has been planned for Friday evening. Two buildings, Palazzo dell'Orologio and Palazzo Cleopazzo, will also be illuminated in red until the end of September. "It was a moment when Squinzano," Pede added, "felt united in grief, as evidenced by both the decorations and the moments of solidarity organized in recent days for the family and for Lorena. I also thank the many volunteers, whom I thank not only from the Civil Protection Department, but also from associations and ordinary citizens who made themselves available to lend a hand during the funeral. As you can imagine, managing the expected influx of people is not easy for us. Seeing so much goodwill and affection from so many of our fellow citizens somehow warms the heart at this tragic time."
"In the last few days, she was afraid. Everything happened so quickly, in the last days of August, in the last month, in the last weeks. There was no danger before, as far as we know. If there had been this danger, we would have done everything we could." This was what Francesca Pasimena, Lorena Isceri's cousin, with whom she was very close, told reporters as she arrived at the church to say her last goodbye.
"It all happened in the last few days," he added. "We're not talking about someone who's been subjected to violence for months and years. I can assure you of this because I know my cousin well. She's someone who demands respect and tells you so, so we're not talking about someone who broods and shuts herself away. Let's remember Lorena well, for who she is. Let's not share news that doesn't reflect her."
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