Vatican official salutes close Church-state collaboration in Italy
September 28, 2011
An influential Vatican official spoke of the “harmonious and supportive collaboration” between the Holy See and the Italian government, at a September 28 ceremony marking the 150th anniversary of Italian unification.
Archbishop Angelo Becciu, the sostituto, or deputy Secretary of State, spoke at an event sponsored by the Italian embassy to the Holy See, attended by a number of leading political figures. The archbishop said that the relations between Church and state in Italy furnish a model that “could profitably be shared with other countries.”
The speech by Archbishop Becciu comes at a time when relations between Italian Church leaders and the Italian government have been tested. Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco--the president of the Italian bishops' conference--recently issued a sharp condemnation of corruption in politics, in a speech that was widely understood as a rebuke to Prime Minister Silvio Berluconi.
For all current news, visit our News home page.
Further information:
- Italy: a Model of Collaboration between Church and State (VIS)
- Italian cardinal's speech seen as repudiation of Berlusconi (CWN, 9/27)
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!
