It's about Cardinal Konrad Krajewksi restoring electric power to a homeless shelter in Rome after service had been cut by the utility company. He is the papal almoner, and one might expect that he restored power by pulling some strings, calling in a favor, or directing some funds, since his agency is in charge of charitable distributions for the pope. No, apparently he restored electricity to the shelter by lifting up a manhole cover, going down and reconnecting the building to the power main.
I don't know about you, but I'm impressed.
From the NCR article:
"Back in Rome less than 24 hours after visiting refugees in camps in Greece, Cardinal Konrad Krajewski turned on some lights and found himself being threatened by Italy's deputy prime minister."
"The cardinal, who distributes charity on behalf of Pope Francis, went at 10 p.m. May 11 to a state-owned building in Rome where more than 430 people – including more than 100 children – have set up housekeeping."
"They have occupied the building since 2013, but on May 6 the electric company cut service, leaving the occupants without lights, without hot water and without functioning refrigerators."
"Asked if it was true that he personally lifted a manhole cover and climbed down to reconnect the building to the power main, Krajewski told the newspaper, Corriere della Sera, "It was a special situation. Desperate. I repeat I assume all the responsibility."
"Matteo Salvini, deputy prime minister of Italy, told a crowd at a rally May 12 that the occupants of the building owed the electric company 300,000 euros (about $337,000) and he would be sending the cardinal the bill."
"I'll pay it. No problem," the cardinal told the newspaper. "And if one arrives, I'll pay a fine as well.'"
This is the first time I have heard of Cardinal Krajewski.
I don't know how he pronounces his last name, but I went to grade school and high school with a bunch of people with that name. They all pronounced it "Karaski".
Katherine, Cry-ev-skee and roll the "r".
ReplyDeleteCorrection tweak: Cry-eff-skee and roll the "r".
DeleteThat makes sense. The people in my hometown were at least two or three generations removed from the "old country", so it's possible that they lost the original pronunciation.
DeleteIn the USA, my name is pronounced koe-paz. But the original pronunciation is Kaw-potch.
DeleteI'll be really impressed if the Cardinal knew how to do this himself. Can he fix popemobiles, too?
ReplyDeleteI notice that he said, "I assume all responsibility" . My guess is that he had some inside help, maybe a utility employee who told him what to do, but he didn't want to get that person in trouble by saying so.
DeleteYes. That's what I suspect. But the idea of a cardinal/electrician with a toolbox in his office appeals to me.
DeleteLet's get him a red beanie quick. He is my sentimental choice already for the next conclave. Can we clone him?
ReplyDeletePope picked a fellow 'street priest' when he named his almoner a cardinal
ReplyDeleteThis priest was one of a number who assisted a papal ceremonies. He had come to Rome under JP2. He helped the poor in his spare time. The Papal Almoner post had been another ceremonial one that collected money from people.
Krajewski's office funds its work by selling customized parchments with a photograph of the pope and an inscription in calligraphy that document papal blessings granted on a special occasion, such as a wedding, baptism or priestly ordination.[5] All proceeds go directly to the works of charity. In 2012, the office spent one million Euro (US$1.4 million) on 6,500 requests for help.[6]
Francis told him to sell his desk and spend his time with the poor.
I agree it's an awesome story. And I hope that either he is an electrician or, as Katherine noted, he had a little inside help. I'd imagine an amateur could fry himself doing that. Or maybe start a fire. Or both.
ReplyDeletePlus that Roman infrastructure was probably installed during the reign of Marcus Aurelius.
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