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Catholic World News News Feature

Buttiglione hints EU successor may be a Mason November 10, 2004

Rocco Buttiglione, whose nomination to the European Commission was rejected because of his staunch Catholic beliefs, has hinted that the Italian nominee who took his place is a Freemason.

Buttiglione offered his best wishes to Franco Frattini, the Italian foreign minister, who is being put forward on a new slate of European Commission nominees offered by the incoming European President Jose Manuel Durao Barroso. But then Buttiglione added a warning shot, saying that during Frattini's confirmation hearings, "I hope nobody asks him if he is a Freemason."

It was not clear whether Buttiglione was actually charging that Frattini is a Freemason, or indicating that the new Italian nominee could be subjected to false accusations-- as Buttiglione says he was.

Buttiglione, who is known as a devout Catholic and personal friend of Pope John Paul, was harshly criticized for his stance against homosexual activities. He has pointed out repeatedly that he was not advancing plans to outlaw homosexuality, but only stating his personal views. Buttiglione has charged that the European parliament, in rejecting his nomination, was guilty of unfair discrimination.

The Masonic movement is legal, but highly unpopular, in Italy today. Scandals involving the exposure of Masonic lodges during the 1980s resulted in the collapse of the Christian Democratic government.