Viale Raimondo

Viale, Raimondo (Father) Don Raimondo Viale, born in Limone Piemonte in 1907, was first curate then parish priest in Borgo San Dalmazzo (Cuneo province). An non-conformist hated by the regime, he was frequently subjected to intimidation and beatings. In 1940, he was condemned to four years internment in Agnone (Isernia province). After 15 months in prison, he was released and allowed to return to his functions. Soon after the armistice of September 1943, the 4th Italian Army began to retreat from the Italian occupation zone in France and hundreds of Jews from nearby towns close to the French-Italian border, like Saint-Martin-de-Vésubie, decided to flee with the retreating Italians. Fugitive Jews, of all ages, suffered serious hardship on their way through the Maritime Alps, until they found refuge in San Giacomo, Valdieri and Entracque towns in Cuneo province. It was then that Don Raimondo Viale, began to attend the poor Jewish families in the nearby countryside, spread over hills and valleys. When the Germans then occupied the region on September 12th, 349 Jews were caught and interned in the Alpini Corps of Borgo San Dalmazzo (Polizeihaftlager) transit camp. Most of them were then deported to Auschwitz on November 21, 1943, and the remaining two dozen Jews were later deported between December 1943 and February 1944. Don Raimondo Viale, continued to help many other Jews in cooperation with local residents, involving prominent clergymen, such as Don Francesco Repetto* in Genoa. He would visit those he was helping, going by bicycle from one place to another in Cuneo’s valleys. He also hid about 30 Jews in the priest-house adjacent to the church. For almost two years, Don Viale risked his life in order to bring forged documents, food and clothing to entire families. Many survivors still have vivid memories of his immense kindness and bravery. After the liberation in the summer of 1945, many survivors expressed in writing their gratitude to Don Viale. He passedaway in 1984. Ten years later, on September 20, 1998, a square was inaugurated in Borgo San Dalmazzo, in memory of Don Raimondo Viale, the outstanding clergyman who risked his life in order to save persecuted Jews, as well as in honor of other residents of the district who had extended vital assistance to Jews. On August 7, 2000, Yad Vashem recognized Father Don Raimondo Viale as Righteous Among the Nations.