In my last article, I gave an account of our visit to Fornaci in April of last year. I would like now to write a little more about the work of Franco Maggiotto, whom we visited again at the same time. To illustrate his work, I quote here from an article which he submitted to the magazine of the European Missionary Fellowship. It gives the experience of one person with whom Franco came in contact recently.
My husband had gone off with a young woman and had left me all alone with two children. I was desperate and I was trying to drown my trouble in wine. I was almost always drunk. I no longer knew what to do when I remembered a relative of mine who had once spoken to me about God and a community of Christians at Finale. I went to see her. My aunt put me up and my two children too. I went with her to the meeting with torment in my heart. The pastor spoke to me with an open heart, but I couldn’t follow the argument — I was too unhappy. He spoke to me about God and conversion when it was my husband I needed not chatter. But he talked in a different way from the others. He spoke to me as if the Authority did not come from him but from behind him . . . it was the Word of God which was telling me that I had sinned against God, and that this was the most serious thing. He spoke to me of the love of Christ for sinners. The justice and with it the love of God penetrated my heart like oil. I felt that the more serious evil was not my husband running away from me but my sin which had the wrath of God as its consequence. Almost immediately I found that there was nothing in me. I felt so lost that I could do nothing but search for that infinite mercy which had prompted the Son of God to die for sinners. My only salvation was His infinite love for me. I wept for sorrow and for joy as never before.
Since that day I have experienced other days of unhappiness but never of despair, because I know He is there and He loves me. I am studying the Word of God with the pastor’s wife. My husband has come back . . . I know that it was God who brought him back to me, and that it is the love that He has put in my heart which has changed me and transformed our family. Still I am in great sorrow; my husband, although he has become a friend of the pastor, does not yet allow me to attend the services. I would like so very much to worship my Lord in the company of my brothers. Yet I know that the Lord can do all things and that all things “work together to good for them that love God.” I ask you to pray that the Lord should yet again take pity on me and give me the grace that my husband should let me take part in ‘Sunday’ worship. Pray and thank God with me.
From Franco himself we heard about the confused state of things in his native country. Many priests have either left the Church or are thinking of doing so. Franco feels that, in the case of many, this movement springs from a desire to find the gospel; but because there is no one to teach them the pure gospel they may well go astray. Some leave because of leanings towards Communism, and others may leave because of conscientious difficulties but still end up as Communists. He feels that he is called to present, in the midst of this unsettled situation, a point of reference where those who are asking questions may have the gospel clearly presented to them. He does not wish to rush. Many of these men are highly intelligent, but they cannot be forced to accept the gospel. They need clear teaching, but gentle leadership. This is why it is important for the Fede Viva magazine to go out, and for the Reformation Study Centre to be set up.
Regarding the magazine, Franco wrote in a letter dated 22/10/77 that in some cases postmen did not deliver it; however he went on, ‘it is doing a great deal of good. Two weeks ago there was a meeting between all evangelical groups in Liguria and many thanked us because at last they are beginning to understand the gospel! In these days a letter arrived from the University of Milan in which the students thank me for Fede Viva and invite me to hold a conference on the authority of the Bible. I am in touch with two priests, and tomorrow I am going to the house of one of them.’ On 7/1/78, Franco wrote, ‘We are now preparing an issue with articles written by eminent ex-priests, and another on the conferences on the Bible held by me in different parts of Italy.’
As far as the Centre is concerned, most readers will know how important it is to get this established at the earliest possible date. As Franco stated at meetings held in different parts of Scotland in May, and as he also explained to the meeting of Synod in Inverness, this building would be invaluable for at least two reasons. It would provide a place to which enquiring persons could come and be accommodated for a week or two, while they studied the doctrines of the gospel. Also, such a centre would provide premises for worship which the local group in the Spotorno area could use. For many reasons this would be preferable to the present arrangement, in which services are held in private houses.
It is now some time since this Centre project was first conceived of. It has been prayed over, and some contributions have been given to help make the dream come true. There have been some delays, for various reasons, but I am thankful to say that, following a Fede Viva Committee meeting in November ’77, the way seems clear for developing the project with all possible speed. The cost of a suitable building would be between £30,000 and £40,000. Those who are concerned to see the Lord’s Kingdom come may feel led by many factors to support this particular project. I will just add to these the Scripture which I read in course just before visiting Franco last April. Is Franco Maggiotto one of those through whom this prophecy will be fulfilled regarding the Roman Catholic Church?
Though Babylon should mount up to heaven, and though she should fortify the height of her strength, yet from me shall spoilers come unto her, saith the Lord. Jeremiah 51:53.
J.T.