Mario Borrelli

Who was Mario Borrelli?

Mario Borrelli was a Neapolitan priest, sociologist and educationist.

In the 50’s he established an international network for social support, called The House of the Urchins, aimed at the recovery from the streets and professional training of the street urchins of Naples. Subsequently, following his laicization, he maintained his international reputation for his civil commitment and his studies on peace research and education.

«The insecure, tormented, down-trodden people, in whom we are submerged, are no different from all the others spread over the rest of the world, even if their eyes, skins, creeds are not the same as ours. Our common destiny is to be the guts of the world, digesting the myths that have sustained empires and manufacturing the vital lymph to sustain the world of tomorrow. Hard work though it may be, we are beginning to digest today’s society and church; in time we shall make one another better.

Although my white hair and the weight of years make me feel I’ll never see the promised land, they have not deprived me of my serenity, enthusiasm or joy in my labours.

Mario Borrelli, The continuing story from Morris West, Children of the sun, Fontana Books Ltd, 1983.