Bologna, August 13, 2026 – “Clear words in dark times” is the theme of this ‘Ferragosto at Villa Revedin’. For 72 years the people of Bologna who stayed in the city during the symbolic days of the summer holidays have been able to enjoy the coolness typical of the Archbishop’s Seminary park. Yesterday was the first appointment of these three days with a dialogue between the cardinal archbishop Matteo Zuppi and Serena Dandini, author of the book ‘We Are Not Afraid. The Women Who Made the Republic’.
“In the constituent assembly – explained the writer and television host – there were only 21 women. They knew how to insert the right words into the Constitution: they managed to change the term ‘renunciation’ to ‘repudiation’. Today we must be careful that these words do not dissolve or lose their meaning. The same can be said about the distinction of sex which seems obvious to us, but at the time it was not at all, in a world where women were excluded from the most prestigious roles.”
On article 11: “The word repudiation is extraordinary”
From the Barbiana school to the 725 school in Rome, the Church in its commitment to the poor has given decisive importance to the ability to understand words. “Don Milani was very strict even in his first pastoral experiences – recalled Cardinal Zuppi –: even today it is essential to know how to use language or you risk someone putting words in your mouth that they want to hear and consequently instilling their ideas in you.”
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The application of article 11 of the Constitution hovers over the meeting. “The word repudiation is extraordinary – continues the archbishop –. We must stop to understand it well because if we repudiate war it means that the instrument of war is not adequate. When we say if you want peace prepare for war you are betraying this article and what the founding fathers wanted. If the Ministry of Defense were to become the Ministry of War it would mean rehabilitating this instrument and we cannot accept it. Our fathers sought what united us, we seek what divides us and therefore we do not deserve Europe.”
Among the topics also social hatred
Zuppi also intervenes on social hatred: “Keyboard warriors are not justified, but in many cases people do not realize” the impact of what is said. Led by Sister Chiara Cavazza, director of the office of consecrated life, about 300 people participated.
