Franco Maggiotto, 1936-2006

The news of Franco’s death seemed to take some time to filter through to this country. It was a shock to learn that my dear friend had gone to be with the Lord (on December 20 2006) after a long struggle with cancer.

Born on July 7 1936, raised in a Roman Catholic family in his beloved Italy, Franco trained for the priesthood and served as a Roman Catholic priest for some years. One day when officiating at the Mass, a passage from Hebrews 10 was being read:

‘Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.’

‘We are sacked’

He must have heard this many times before, but that day the Lord brought it home to him in a very powerful way and he saw the truth of Christ’s one complete and final sacrifice for sin. ‘We are sacked!’ he cried out. ‘We are no longer needed! Christ has done it all.’ He walked out of the church, leaving, presumably, a shocked and bemused congregation, never to return. The remainder of his life was devoted to proclaiming the gospel. He married Aurora, who he loved very dearly and who was a staunch support to him through all the years and many trials. They had two children, Tabitha and Alberto.

Franco served for a time with EMF, which involved spending some time at their college, at that time in Watford. This brought Franco into contact with the Grace Baptist churches in Watford. He developed a very close bond with Donovan Rowland, then pastor at Derby Road, and with Tom Walter, pastor at Beulah.

Franco had contacts with leading politicians, trade union leaders and businessmen and it sometimes sounded as though he was preaching a social gospel. This was not the case. He longed for a reformation in Italy such as had been seen in other parts of Europe centuries before. Such reformation not only turns individuals to Christ and blesses the churches, but also permeates the whole of society for good.

Persecution

When visiting him, I saw much documentary evidence to show the harassment and persecution he suffered.

One of my abiding memories of Franco is of a Sunday during a visit to Italy. We had to travel about 100 miles from Turin to Finale where he was to preach and where he had worked for many years. It was thick fog. He drove at over 60 miles per hour down the motorway, glued to the windscreen and with the lights of another vehicle seemingly only inches in front of us — yet not once stopping his usual animated conversation! Then when we arrived he was greeted by everyone we saw down the street, people leaning out of apartment windows crying, ‘Ciao, Franco!’ It was amazing.

So it was no surprise to learn that great crowds turned up at his funeral.

Only eternity will reveal all that the Lord did through his faithful and energetic servant. I thank God that I had the privilege of knowing him a little and for every remembrance of him.

Obituary

‘We are sacked’

Persecution

Chris Richards