The mood in Italy concerning the flood of people crossing the Mediterranean is dark and getting darker. While the horrific death of 900 people two weeks ago has given pause to some of the angrier and more fearful voices, I believe it is only temporary.The weekend of the tragedy was one of the most unpleasant for those working with refugees. Many Italians were enraged by the news that Muslim migrants had killed 12 fellow passengers – all Christians – by throwing them into the sea. Fear of radical Islam and concern about high levels of unemployment were combining to create an atmosphere of xenophobia.The Episcopalian parish here, St Paul’s within the Walls, runs one of only two major day centres caring for refugees in the city.When they held a vigil for those who had died