Silvio Berlusconi’s government is engaged in a vigorous damage limitation exercise after Pope Benedict appeared to lend his immense moral authority to speculation that Italy was in danger of returning to fascism under the tycoon’s hardline, rightwing leadership.
In his customary midday Sunday address, the pontiff expressed concern at “recent examples of racism” and reminded Catholics it was their duty to steer others in society away from “racism, intolerance and [the] exclusion [of others]“.
On any other day, his remarks might have been seen as no more than a restatement of official Catholic doctrine. But they came instead in the midst of a furious dispute over an editorial published by Italy’s bestselling Catholic weekly, Famiglia Cristiana.
In an editorial on Friday, condemning recent government moves against immigrants and Roma, the magazine said it was to be hoped fascism was not “resurfacing in our country under another guise”. The jibe outraged Berlusconi’s supporters, many of whom are themselves pious Catholics.Coming against this background, the pope’s comments were interpreted by Berlusconi’s critics as a signal that the Vatican was not climbing down or distancing itself from Famiglia Cristiana’s interpretation.
The pope said: “One of humanity’s great conquests is indeed the overcoming of racism. Unfortunately, however, there are new and worrying examples of this in various countries, often linked to social and economic problems that nonetheless can never justify contempt or racial discrimination.”
Europeans don’t forget that Italy once elected – and re-elected – a Fascist government that led to an real Axis of Evil.
Yeah, the Catholic church sure has a sterling record when it comes to prejudice. Don’t exclude anyone, unless they are the immoral group of the day (gays at the moment).
Dude, get your facts straight. The Vatican has repeatedly stated that Famiglia Cristiana’s views are not the Pope’s, and they obviously aren’t. Im not saying that Berlusconi and his people arent a bunch of morons, but you’re trolling.
and I fell for it hook line and sinker dammit
#3 – So, the pope didn’t say that, eh?
Where was he when the ‘Mericans needed the same warning?
“_an_ real Axis of Evil” – Tut tut!
#1 Not a RC but I used to be. Have they started kicking out gay members? I hadn’t heard. If you are talking about priests they are supposed to kick out practicing gay ones. Along with practicing hetero ones.
#2-Pedro,
I meant that Catholic church is a bit nervy in lecturing another group about prejudice.
#7-GigG,
I was referring to the Church not ordaining gay men. While it is not the official word, I doubt that homosexuals find themselves particularly welcomed in most Catholic churches.
gawd there is just so much material here i just dont know where to start!
As the Capitalist Fascists EXPROPRIATE MORE AND MORE WEALTH FROM THE WORKERS AND MIDDLE CLASS, they use RACISIM AND NATIONALISM TO DIVIDE AND CONQUER THE WORKING CLASSES !!! The same old story !!! If the Workers held together, their SOLIDARITY COULD DEFEAT THE CAPITALIST FASCISTS !!! They could then ELIMINATE THEM BY ***SOAKING THE RICH INTO EXTINCTION*** !!!
#10. Time for a nice cup of tea and a wee nap.
What does restricting immigration have to do with fascism? I guess that makes Bill Clinton and Dwight Eisenhower fascists, and George Bush, John McCain and Barack Obama anti-fascists?
I take it that His Holiness hasn’t paid too much attention to what’s happening in the U.S. lately. It’s already well-entrenched here.
Wow this story pits the blog’s hatred of religion vs. its hatred of right-wingedness. I’m surprised you didn’t explode.
The catholic church has nothing to worry about. If italy becomes a dictatorship, they will just be collaborators with it. It kept Hitler off their backs.
Italy NEVER elected a Fascist government. Mussolini seized power in 1922 with a revolution (not a coup d’etat, definitely a revolution, the army and the estabilishment remaining loyal to the King) albeit bloodless, the King giving orders to the army of not using arms against the blackshirts. Mussolini himself was aware that, if the army had intervened, it will have crushed the “March on Rome” in hours.
Pools were held in two occasions, but the vote WAS NOT SECRET, and everyone was aware that voting against the PNF (Partito Nazionale Fascista) will have resulted at very least in a sound trashing by the blackshirts presiding the polling station.
I can confirm, it was not the pope accusing Berlusconi of fascism, but the right wing Christian newspaper which the pope subsequently condemed. In fact, the Pope and Berlusconi generally have good cooperation.
However, modern fascism in Italy is a real trend. The really scary thing is looking at how the USA is following. In Italy, the lone voice in the woods is Beppe Grillo (he has a great blog in English and Italian).