F l o r e n c e (EBPS) – The former President and General Secretary of the Italian Baptist Union, Dr. Piero Bensi, died at 82 in Florence on 4 February 2006 following a long illness. Holder of a doctorate in theology, Dr. Bensi was recognised far beyond the confines of his own church. From 1976 to 1982 he served as President of the Protestant Federation of Churches in Italy (FCEI), 1985 to 1987 he was President of the European Baptist Federation (EBF). Many Italians knew him from his commentaries on national RAI 2 radio as part of a church broadcast every Sunday. In his comments he gave a Protestant view on current developments in church and society. He was also pastor of Baptist congregations in Civitavecchia, Cagliari and Florence, chief editor of the Baptist magazine „Il Testimonio“ and teacher at the Baptist theological seminary in Turin. He was also respected by many Catholics. Catholic congregations frequently asked him to lecture on the Protestant perspective on social and religious matters. In 1999 State President Giuliano Amati awarded him the rarely-granted medal “Cavaliere of the Great Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic”.

Italy has 111 Baptist congregations with roughly 5.000 members.