Italian bishops rap anti-immigrant rhetoric
June 11, 2015
The president of the Italian bishops’ conference has taken aim at political leaders who are rallying public opposition to immigration.
“Feeding fear is never good counsel,” said Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco. “We must face the problems with realism and helpfulness on the part of all.”
Bishop Antonio Mattiazzo of Padua took a similar line in his own comments on the issue. “Concerns about security should not exclude the virtue and the duty of solidarity,” he said. Reminding his people that the city’s patron, St. Anthony of Padua, was himself an immigrant, Bishop Mattiazzo added: “It is also strange that some would accuse foreigners of drug dealing, while keeping silent about the fact that Italians are the ones buying it.”
The Italian prelates were reacting to calls by the Northern League for restrictions on immigration.
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Further information:
- CEI chief Bagnasco blasts migrant scaremongering (ANSA)
- Bishop blasts anti-immigrant rhetoric (ANSA)
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