© Jihad WatchCanceled in Cremona.
A Catholic priest in Italy came under fire after he
canceled an annual Nativity scene, saying it could offend Muslims. The move triggered a wave of criticism, his predecessor calling him to
remember that he lives in Italy and "not in Saudi Arabia."The move took place in the city of Cremona, northern Italy, when Father Sante Braggie, chaplain of the Municipal Cemetery, said there would be
no nativity scene at the entrance of the local graveyard this Christmas, local media reported.
A nativity scene is the special exhibition depicting those gathered after the birth of Jesus. It is usually exhibits figures of the infant, his mother Mary and her husband Joseph, as well as shepherds, sheep, and angels. According to Father Sante Braggie, 57, the Nativity scene could
offend people who belong to other religions and whose relatives have been buried in the cemetery."A small corner of the cemetery is reserved for Muslim graves," he said, as
cited by Italian
Corriere della Sera newspaper. "A crib positioned within sight of them could be seen as a lack of respect for followers of other faiths, hurt the sensibilities of Muslims, as well as
Indians and even atheists. In short, it would be a mess," he added.
However, not everyone in the city was pleased by the move. Sante Braggie's predecessor, Father Oreste Mori, called it
"an unpardonable weakness." "We cannot renounce our culture and traditions. I am, for the time being at least, in Italy, not Saudi Arabia," he said.
Comment: Unfortunately, their optimism may be short lived: The depressing economic realities that Donald Trump will inherit from Obama