Italian bishops, politicians spar on immigration

August 11, 2015

A war of wards between Italian prelates and politicians escalated when Bishop Nunzio Galantino, the secretary-general of the Italian Episcopal Conference, accused Italian politicians of pandering to voters with their public statements against immigration.

As thousands of immigrants from Africa continue to arrive in Italy, Bishop Galantino told a Vatican Radio audience that hostility to the new arrivals is being fed by “a handful of cheap peddlers who are willing to say very silly things just to get a vote.”

The bishop’s statement appeared to be aimed at Matteo Salvini, the head of the Northern League, who has been outspoken in his calls for restrictions on the flow of immigrants into the country. Salvini said that “those who defend this illegal invasion, which is ruining Italy, either don’t understand or are making money.”

Salvini fired back at Bishop Galantino, saying: “Someone is playing politics in the name of the Church.” He insisted that his complaint is “not with the Church but with someone who is talking too much in its name.”

The sharp exchange came on a day when more than 1,500 immigrants were rescued in the Mediterranean after leaving Libya in unreliable vessels. Thus far this year, according to UN figures, more than 200,000 immigrants have arrived in Europe—almost 100,000 in Italy alone—while over 2,000 have died at sea trying to reach Europe.

 

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Further information:

• Church clashes with Italy's right over migrants (AFP)
• Galantino scorns anti-migrant 'peddlers' (ANSA)
• Salvini lashes out at Galantino (ANSA)