Figure 1.-- As in other European countries after World War II, Italy had to care for large numbers of war orphans. The Ctholic Church played a major role in caring for the children. The capotion of this wire service photo read, "Italian 'Boys' Town': Civitavecchia. In a courtyard of the villa of a former Fascist finance minister, a group of lads at 'Boys' Town' near here holds a discussion. At this home, modelled after its namesake in the U.S. by Don Antonio Revolta< pf the Society of St. Paul, homeless boys are given a rehabilitation program." The photograph wps dated April 19, 1946. Notice that some of the boys are wearig Scout kneckerchiefs.

We have some limited information about the measures taken by Italian authorities and the Catholic Church to assist the war orphans. The Catholic Church played a major role in assisting the children. The Catrtholic Church had programs to support war orphans. In many cases this meant children who had lost their fathers and the mothers was unable to support them. Many were taken care of by extended Italian families. But larger numbers of children were on their own or with mothers who could not support them. The Church set up orphanages and feeding programs. The photograph here taken in 1945 looks like an orphanage, although it is not identified. An Irish priest, influenced by Father Flanigan's Boys' Town, organized Boys' Republic in 1945. John Patrick (1912-2001), founded Boys' Towns of Italy. Father Carroll-Abbing was born in Holdham (Ireland). As a young man he went to Rome in 1930 to study for priesthood. After becoming a priest he served in Italy. As a result of World War II, he saw the need to care for the many displaced and orphaned children. Another sources identifies Father Abtonio Revolta of the Society of St. Paul. Naples had an especially severe problem of abandoned street children even before the War. The war, however, aggravated the situation. The Catholic priest Mario Borrelli founded an institution to care for street children in Naples called Casa dello scugnizzo.

Created: 6:03 AM 7/25/2012
Last updated: 6:03 AM 7/25/2012