During the Second World War, the historical seat of religious authority in Carpi became a crucial point of reference for citizens, mostly thanks to the figure of Monsignor Vigilio Federico Dalla Zuanna. Bishop of Carpi from May 1941, he was actively involved in protecting the community during the Nazi-Fascist occupation.
After joining the Capuchins friars at the age of 13, Dalla Zuanna became a priest in Venice in 1904, earning a degree in theology and a diploma in Hebrew and palaeography. His experience as a military chaplain during the Great War and his trusted assignments under Pius XI prepared him for future challenges.
His Franciscan faith guided him in the support of disadvantaged people. With the opening of the prisoner of war camp at Fossoli in 1942, he brought comfort to enemy soldiers, guiding the diocese and the Catholic community of Carpi towards the protection of the persecuted and the weak. The Bishopric became a refuge and a place of listening for many, especially after the armistice of September 8, 1943 and during the Nazi-Fascist occupation.
Dalla Zuanna directly and indirectly intervened in the life of the Fossoli concentration camp, offering continuous spiritual assistance to the prisoners, as reported in the official Bulletin of the diocese. His spirit of service was fully expressed in his actions to avoid Nazi reprisals, even at the risk of his own life.
The Limidi di Soliera episode of November 20, 1944 is emblematic of this: Dalla Zuanna's determined intervention prevented the murder of 60 hostages, thanks to his mediation and mastery of German.
With the very same spirit the Carpi bishop had immediately gone to the gates of the Cibeno firing range on July 12, 1944 when he was informed that something tragic was happening there: on that occasion, however, he was forcibly prevented from intervening.
When the Old Camp was dismantled, the curia played a decisive role in guaranteeing support and assistance to the civil inmates at the Modena Police Headquarters so that they could be set free.
On April 16, 2004, the President of the Italian Republic, Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, honoured Dalla Zuanna with the Gold Medal for Civil Valour, stating: 'Bishop of Carpi, a place where war and violence left destruction and ruins, regardless of the heavy personal risks, with generous pastoral zeal, he gave refuge and comfort to those who, persecuted by the Nazi-Fascists, were seeking refuge from the arrogance and cruelty of the occupying forces. On every occasion he ensured the most concrete help for those who, with hope and trust, turned to him, protecting their threatened lives. He was a shining example of sharing the pain and suffering of the others, of love for his neighbour and of commendable civic virtues'.
