Fourteen Years of Community Service in Riva: Insights from Don Dario
Fourteen years among the Rivani, Don Dario. What have they given you? This is the time for reflections and memories.
“I felt at home immediately. Even character-wise: the Rivani are very talkative, sometimes scatterbrained, and occasionally they approach problems without ever quite tackling them. But when it counts, they know how to roll up their sleeves. I am a bit like that too, I’m not much for formalities. But I accept myself as I am, and I offer that to others. I don’t have much to teach, but I have tried to understand, to listen to people and their issues. People embody the many different ways to realize that Incarnation in which I believe and profess.”
The city and its social challenges
An effort that succeeds better in a seemingly wealthy city like Riva?
“Probably, but I’ve been careful not to flatter the powerful. In fact, I leave poor just as I arrived poor. I only asked for funds for the Oratory, and they responded generously. Everyone, absolutely everyone. Even those who are not swimming in gold.”
For this reason, we’ve called Riva “apparently wealthy.” In fact, it appears that social issues, marginalization…
“That’s true. But there are appropriate responses. And even the institutions are doing their part well, fostering a constructive relationship with the ecclesiastical world. I think of the always fruitful exchange between Caritas, Comune, and Comprensorio.”
The political and social experience
You have experienced three mayors: Enzo Bassetti, Claudio Molinari, and Cesare Malossini. What can you tell us about that?
“Perhaps with Molinari I was somewhat restrained by the concern of exploiting the opportunity too much, given the alignment of beliefs. But with all of them, in the clarity of our mutual roles, I offered and received collaboration. Clearly, the parish priest is not the mayor and vice versa.”
Nevertheless, even the parish priest ends up having his ideas about political and social reality.
“In fourteen years, I have seen the city continuously improve. Its riches are tourism and industry. Balancing them is difficult, but overall they managed it very well. Otherwise, there wouldn’t have been this progress.”
Impressions of the city
In other words, a city to savor.
“Definitely. Riva is beautiful, although, to tell the truth, I’ve never set foot in the lake, and because of my stature, I’ve never even climbed the Bastione.”
Any other regrets to confess?
“I would have liked to be more synodal, but I didn’t succeed enough, due to personal limits. I am disorganized by nature, I take on everything, perhaps too many things at once. But with the Oratory, for example, I think I sowed well. Now, the conditions are right for parish life to progress.”
The future and the past
Starting over for the third time at sixty, forging relationships, and learning a new reality—can that be problematic?
“These days, knowing I am leaving, I am stopped and greeted also by people I’ve had little contact with in the past. I want to believe it’s a recognition of the mark I’ve left.”