Bishop calls for peace after mafia boss’s wife killed in Calabria

ROME-- A Calabrian bishop has called for peace after mafia gunmen shot and killed Silvana Sibarelli, 60, the wife of Damiano Pepe, known as “Tripolino”. Investigators identify Pepe as a senior figure in the ’Ndrangheta mafia.

  Bishop Francesco Savino of Cassano all’lonio made an appeal to the attackers to repent following the killing of Sibarelli. He urged residents to reject fear and silence.

  “Repent! Lay down your weapons and take responsibility for the evil you have done,” he said in a statement issued on Oct.24.

  Savino, who is also vice president of the Italian Bishops ‘conference said nobody has the right to decide the lives of others. Savino said the attack had wounded the whole community and warned against dismissing it as a dispute between criminals.

  The bishop also called on residents to report crimes, cooperate with investigators and stand by those willing to speak out. The work of police and prosecutors, he said needs the support of the community.

  The shooting took place around midnight between Saturday and Sunday in Lattughelle, an area of Cassano all’Ionio in Cosenza province. At least two mafia gunmen fired approximately 30 shots near the couple’s home.

  Investigators believe the mafia gunmen were targeting Pepe when they shot and killed his wife. According to an initial reconstruction, the couple were returning home to their villa in Lattughelle by car when the attackers opened fire near their entrance gate.

  Pepe underwent surgery after being transferred to Cosenza’s Annunziata hospital. He remained under police guard in hospital for his protection and had been questioned.

  He was released from prison in 2019 after serving a sentence of 26 years for murder and mafia association. 

  Investigators fear the attack could reignite a longstanding feud between the Abruzzese and Forastefano clans.

  Savino and Mayor Giampaolo Iacobini arranged a public meeting at the municipal theater for Monday 4pm to condemn the violence and discuss the community’s response.

  Iacobini said he would ask the prefect to convene the public order and security committee, calling for stronger policing and more effective judicial action.

  Savino urged local institutions, parishes, associations and residents to continue speaking out against violence after public attention fades. 

  “No one can hold our future hostage,” he said.

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