Father Carlo Aversano is a brave man, a priest speaking out against the Camorra, the mafia who spread fear and loathing in his town.The mobsters once shot dead a priest who stood up to them in Casal di Principe, this sprawling, lawless community north of Naples.
We met Don Carlo in the courtyard of his church, joining in the birthday celebrations of one of a group of teenagers who look to him for friendship and hope.
"I tell the youngsters not to idolise these gangsters. It could lead to their death. They must not choose the way of evil and in this town the evil is the Comorra," said the priest.
As we talk there are heavily-armed paratroopers and Carabinieri, the paramilitary police, patrolling the narrow streets outside his Church of the Holy Mary.
The beautiful 15th Century building has existed only slightly longer than the Camorra, Italy's oldest criminal organisation which has established such a strong hold over the people of the Campania region.
The troops were sent in to try to stem a sudden wave of violence, including the murder of six African immigrants thought to be involved in a drugs turf war with the mobsters.
Don Carlo said: "Maybe at the beginning we were surprised at the soldiers' arrival, but now I think people welcome them. They are here to put right something that is wrong.
"Some think it makes our town look like Kabul, but the soldiers are here for our benefit."
Fourteen years ago a priest called Father Peppe Diana refused to hold a mass for a murdered mobster.
He was shot dead in his church as he prepared for a service.
On the edge of Principe stands a statue of the Pope John Paul 11, who condemned the shooting.
Father Carlo shrugs off any threat to his own life for criticising the Comorra.
"I'm not frightened," he told me. "Everybody here loves me."
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(Source: SKYN)