Monsignor Italo Schirra, a priest from Ghilarza, died this morning in the medical ward of San Martino Hospital in Oristano, where he had been hospitalized for several days. He had recently been a resident of a retirement home in Milis, where he had turned 90 on January 4th.

Don Italo, as everyone affectionately called him, had returned to "his" Ghilarza after serving for approximately 50 years in the Diocese of Oristano , and in particular as parish priest for 45 years in the Parish of San Giuseppe Lavoratore in Oristano, which he founded, and where the news was greeted with great emotion.

He was ordained a priest in Oristano 63 years ago, on June 29, 1962, in the Cathedral Church, by the then Archbishop, Monsignor Sebastiano Fraghì.

A religious man of great faith and spirituality, which he knew how to transmit to all, he was much loved in the capital also for his important role as a aggregator, having formed and led scout groups. Many of his parishioners still remember the "retreats" and social days in the rural oxen house of San Serafino in Ghilarza, a place he loved so much.

The funeral, presided over by Archbishop Roberto Carboni, will be held tomorrow at 12:00 PM in the parish church of San Giuseppe Lavoratore in Oristano. Following the funeral, the body will be transported to the parish church of Ghilarza where, at 3:00 PM, Mass will be celebrated, followed by burial in the city cemetery.

© Riproduzione riservata