Fr. Angelo Fiumicelli, Capuchin Missionary (1926-2018) passed away

Fr. Angelo Fiumicelli, Florence, was admitted to Arezzo hospital after an internal hemorrhage in the morning of  15 March and expired a few hours later. Born in Poppi  on 10 March 1926, he became a Capuchin during the Great War and was ordained a priest  on 15 March 1951. He spent 54 years as a missionary in the Arabian Peninsula, the first 5 years as assistant priest in Aden, two years in Bahrain as itinerant priest visiting Qatar, Oman and the United Arab Emirates; then 28 long years years in Aden as the first Parish Priest of Immaculate Conception Church in Ma’alla and teacher at St. Anthony’s High School. In 1967, the British left Aden, a civil war followed; in 1973 all the schools and churches were confiscated by the state, the sisters and priests forced to leave the country. At the request of some ambassadors Fr. Angelo was allowed to remain and spent almost 15 years as the only priest in South Yemen. He experienced time in prison, under house arrest and untold hardships of isolation and survival. His strong faith, good humour and positive approach to everybody kept him strong. In 1988 Bishop Bernard Gremoli transferred him to Dubai and made him two years later Parish Priest of St. Michael’s Sharjah where he remained until his definitive return to Italy in 2007.

In 2016, during the 100-year Jubilee of Tuscan Capuchin Presence in the Gulf,  Fr. Angelo gave a moving short witness of his missionary life. No regrets, only thanks to God and thanks to the people. His final words of encouragement were: “Love one another and God will be with you.” May the Lord reward Fr. Angelo. Let us pray for him.
 
Funeral in the Capuchin Church of Ponte at Poppi  on Saturday, 17 March at 10 am; afterwards burial in the cemetery of Poppi near Arezzo.