Don Gino Bonanni (Vicchio 1913 – Florence 1995) was a key figure in the history of the Florentine Church. He was vicar in San Giovanni Maggiore (Borgo San Lorenzo), then in Montespertoli, commissioned by Cardinal Elia Dalla Costa to rebuild the church destroyed by the war, and parish priest in Borgo San Lorenzo. In 1958 he had been appointed Rector of the Seminary of Florence, a position for which he was a point of reference in the formation of a generation of priests. Finally, parish priest at the Badia Fiorentina.
The story of his dismissal provoked a “Letter to the priests of the Florentine diocese”, written by Don Bruno Borghi and Don Lorenzo Milani in which they asked their fellow priests to take his defense openly.
For this Arcton, after the exhibition dedicated to the photographs of Don Renzo Rossi which took place in March 2022 at the SS. Annunziata, has decided to give life to a project to bring the testimony and work of Don Bonanni to the attention of all, also in the consideration of contributing to the great commitment of reflection and historical reconstruction planned for the one hundred year anniversary of his birth. by Don Lorenzo Milani in the year 2023.
To deepen his figure, Arcton makes available his archival heritage which is an important source for the study of the events of the Florentine Church of the 1950s and 60s, which in recent years has again returned to the center of research and attention not only of scholars but also at the popular level for a need for renewal not only spiritual but in general of the values that unite our communities.
The project, entitled Gino Bonanni, free spirit in a restless and fruitful territory, has a territorial character and will be divided into a series of events in the four municipalities of the metropolitan city where he was born or worked (Vicchio, Montespertoli, Borgo San Lorenzo and Florence). The meetings will be attended by speakers from all over Italy: historians, scholars, witnesses of the time.
Andrea Fagioli, former director of ToscanaOggi, curator of the exhibition dedicated to Don Rossi, author of essays on characters of the Tuscan Church, was chosen as scientific director. Also signed by him is the volume «Don Gino Bonanni. Educator and teacher of spirituality, witness of the authentic values of faith », published by Sarnus-Polistampa, published for the occasion by Arcton.
The objective that Arcton proposes is not only to involve local communities and those who have known and esteemed him, but above all to transmit to young people important aspects and personalities of the culture of the territory, constituting a permanent garrison for the dissemination of these aspects. .
The project has obtained the patronage and contribution of the Metropolitan City of Florence, the patronage of the Municipality of Vicchio, the 8X100 contributions from the Archdiocese of Florence and the Cassa di Risparmio di Firenze Foundation.
Program
Vicchio, Thursday 20 October at 5.30 pm Municipal Library
The early years
Rebecca Bonanni, Alessandro Dini, Antonella Lumini, Don Maurizio Pieri, Giuseppe Pratesi. Moderated by Piero Meucci
Montespertoli, Thursday 17 November at 5.30 pm Parish hall
The reconstruction of the church, the postwar years
Don Carlo Ballerini, Giulio Cesare Bucci, Andrea Giuntini. Moderated by Andrea Fagioli
Borgo San Lorenzo, Saturday 26 November at 5.00 pm Municipal Library
Pastoral experiences
Don Luciano Marchetti, Severino Saccardi, Anna Scattigno. Moderated by Andrea Fagioli
Florence, Tuesday 6 December at 6pm Stensen Institute
Ferments, aspirations and legacies of the great period of Florentine Catholicism
Rosy Bindi, Bruna Bocchini Camaiani, Alessandro Dini, Patrizia Giunti, Moderator Piero Meucci
(communicated by Arcton)
Vicchio: Don Gino Bonanni, meeting on Thursday 20 October at the municipal library