Vatican Secretary of State: need to consider excommunication for Mafia figures
June 22, 2017
Cardinal Pietro Parolin told reporters that the Vatican must reflect on a recommendation, advanced last week by the dicastery for Integral Human Development, that Mafia members should be excommunicated.
At the conclusion of a forum on corruption, held in Rome last week, the dicastery said “there is a need to further explore—at an intentional level and in relation to the legal doctrine of the Church—the issue of excommunication for corruption and Mafia association.”
“We weill need to think about what to do in these cases: whether to come to this piont,” agreed the Secretary of State. Cardinal Parolin agreed that corruption and involvement in organized crime are serious offenses that “wound the community.” However, he pointed out that excommunication is a canonical penalty that should always be carefully defined.
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Further information:
- Parolin cautious on excommunicating (ANSA)
- Discastery sees need to explore excommunication for corruption, mafia association (CWN, 6/20)
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Posted by: feedback -
Jun. 23, 2017 1:12 PM ET USA
Mafia is a very local problem that does not involve or concern majority of Catholics. And, as it is the case with any criminal organization, its sinful and illegal activities have never been deemed compatible with the Catholic Faith.
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Posted by: mwean7331 -
Jun. 22, 2017 6:32 PM ET USA
Nero fiddles why Rome burns. While the cardinal is considering excommunicating Mafia what about the same consideration for the public figures who espouse abortion; homosexual unions and ensuing activities; divorced but not celibate couples permitted to receive the Eucharist with no sanctions from their leaders (Bishops etc.)in some cases with approval? Won't they qualify for the same Hell as the Mafia?
