FATHER John Piumatti says he learnt just as much from living in Rome as he did studying there for the past two years.
The former parish priest of Willagee returned to Perth recently, where he has been posted at St Mary’s Cathedral.
In 2011, he travelled to Italy to commence studies of a licentiate in spirituality at the Angelicum University, less than four kilometres away from the Vatican.
He told The Record the course centred on the study of grace and of the growth to spiritual perfection.
“We covered the writings and lives of saints, the more theological and technical aspects of virtue and vice, and just general concepts of theology and how it affects us,” he said.
“It hopefully will help me to become more focused in my desire and my efforts to allow Christ into my life and, in doing so, hopefully it will help me understand people more.”
During his time in Rome, Fr Piumatti lived in a house of priests, many of whom were Vatican officials with whom he became good friends.
“I got to see the Church in a different light, basically living with people who work at the heart of the Church,” he said. “And they all were excellent, really nice people and it was a great experience.”
Like the rest of the world, Fr Piumatti said he was greatly surprised when Pope Benedict XVI retired in February last year.
“Rome stood still the day he left,” he said. “It was a time of sadness and confusion; some were angry, and it was a completely unexpected event for all in the priesthood and the lay faithful.
“Another emotion that came through a lot was an understanding that he was old and he was frail… and so it was a great inspiration in the sense of humility and not searching for power or authority.”
The time inbetween popes was one of varied emotions in Rome, Fr Piumatti said.
“There was much speculation, much soul searching to some degree on a broader general level, and still a sense of confusion with a sense of expectancy,” he said.
“When the Pope was elected there was a great excitement in Rome but still a sense of confusion because nobody really knew what this Pope would be like.”
Being in Rome during a Papal conclave was something Fr Piumatti never thought he would experience, and one that came with another unexpected surprise.
“[Cardinal Bergoglio] lived in the house where I was staying… and three or four other cardinals were there. He was very simple and discreet in his mannerisms,” Fr Piumatti said.
“We had a common dining room and occasionally we came across each other… he was there for about two or three weeks.”
Fr Piumatti, who was last in residence at St Mary’s Cathedral in 2001, said he was looking forward to continuing his ministry in Perth.
“It was nice being in Rome but my home is Perth, my family are here, friends that I’ve known for many years are here, so it’s also nice to be back,” he said.
“It’s a privilege to be back in the Cathedral, it’s a privilege to be working here, and I hope I can be of benefit to the people I come across in my life.”