© Pascal Deloche / www.globallookpress.com
Ever since the mafia's inception in Sicily in the 19 century, members of the notorious crime syndicate and later the La Stidda criminal clan have been immune from the condemnation of local clergy.
But on Thursday things changed, when Michele Pennisi, archbishop of Monreale, outside of Palermo, stopped just short of excommunicating mafia members. Instead, Pennisi issued a decree banning members of criminal gangs to act as godparents or be admitted to confirmation, the last of three initiation rites into the Catholic faith.
At a Catholic confirmation, a person who has previously been baptized is initiated into the faith by the laying on of hands of a bishop or priest. At the ritual, an individual sponsor lays one hand on someone's shoulder and speaks a confirmation name. The clergy responds by anointing oil on an individual's forehead.
"Those who are guilty of shameful crimes cannot be admitted to the post of godparents for baptism and confirmation," Pennisi told Corriere della Sera on Friday.
"We have to be clear," said Pennisi. "A Christian godfather should be a guarantee of raising a child in the faith. How can he be that, if he lives in opposition to the Gospel, in violence and total obedience to the god of money?"
Pennisi explained that his decision to issue such an unprecedented decree stemmed from a church scandal in Padua last December. In that incident, a son of a notorious Sicilian mafia boss, Salvatore 'Totò' Riina, was allowed to be the godfather for his nephew's baptism, only one week after receiving the Sacrament of confirmation himself.
Catholic Sacraments, the bishop said, provided religious legitimacy to criminal members which they don't deserve.
"You can't ignore the fact that serving as a baptismal godfather or a confirmation sponsor allows them to reacquire a religious consensus and honorability that a mafia leader doesn't deserve," he said.
While the ban issued by Pennisi only applies to his archdiocese, the archbishop hopes that his example will set a precedent for other jurisdictions to follow.
"The north must also reflect," he told Corriere della Sera, "given that the mafia, indeed the mafias, aren't just a Sicilian phenomenon but an Italian, even European mentality."
In July 2014, Pope Francis denounced organized crime as an anathema when he visited Calabria in southern Italy.
"Those who in their lives follow this path of evil, as Mafiosi do, are not in communion with God. They are excommunicated," Pope Francis said at the time.
"This evil must be fought against, it must be pushed aside. We must say no to it," Francis added, promising that the Vatican would apply all measures to combat such activity.
Reader Comments
But you are on the right track. The Sicilian Mafia in America was demonized by Jewish-run Hollywood and American media of all types, whereas the major criminal cabal in America was run by the Jews, who were far more vicious and cruel than the Sicilians. Here is a short video with all the facts about organized crime in America: [Link]
In fact, if you ever get to know the Sicilian Mafia, at least those in America, they are industrious, hard-working men of honor. Their word is sacred, and they do not involve their wives and children or those of their rivals in their business, but if you make a deal with them, you had better keep it. They would far rather settle differences of opinion peacefully with negotiation and reason than with violence. They are excellent neighbors, and the neighborhoods where they live are clean, safe and free of crime. They are loyal friends, and fearsome enemies.
However I understand that those within Sicily itself became violent, vicious and evil, murdering wives and families of anyone who crossed them, to the point where the Sicilian population turned against them in a rage, and their power was largely crushed in Sicily. The Sicilians now hate the Mafia there with a passion, and get very angry when anyone asks them about the Mafia. This is why this bishop could make this statement, knowing he has the people behind him, whereas, 20-30 years ago, this bishop would have been assassinated forthwith.