Turin archbishop says separate buses for Roma no solution

(ANSA) - Turin, October 28 - A proposal to set up a specific bus for Roma people to separate them from the general transit population in a town in northern Italy is "provocative" and doesn't solve the problem of safety on public transport, the archbishop of Turin said Tuesday.
    Monsignor Cesare Nosiglia was responding to suggestions made by officials last week in Borgaro, just outside Turin, that Roma people, known also as Gypsies, should be segregated on transit following reports of attacks on other passengers.
    The proposal came from Mayor Claudio Gambino, of the centre-left Democratic Party (PD) and the city councillor for transportation Luigi Spinelli of the left wing SEL.
    Citizens complained about a specific bus that passes by a massive illegal camp where Roma live.
    "The way forward to address the problem is to start with the people involved," said Nosiglia.
    Roma people need to teach their children about what is and isn't legal, while non-Romas must be more willing to accept people of different backgrounds, said Nosiglia.
    "We need more willingness to accept others, because when people see themselves as rejected or marginalized, that can manifest itself in wrong attitudes," he added.
    In June, Pope Francis spoke out against the "scorn" he has witnessed towards the Roma people, and urged local and national institutions to help integrate them into society, while acknowledging that Roma too must play their part.