Italian priest will not install creche in cemetery; fears offending Muslims
December 15, 2016
An Italian priest has announced that he will not set up a Nativity scene in the public cemetery for which he is chaplain, because the display could offend Muslims.
Father Sante Braggie said that the site where the crèche has been set up in the past, in the public cemetery of Cremona, is clearly visible from the section of the cemetery reserved for deceased Muslims. The display “could be seen as a lack of respect” not only for Muslims but for followers of other faiths, he said.
Some municipal officials in Cremona have launched a campaign to restore the crèche in the cemetery.
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Posted by: aclune9083 -
Dec. 15, 2016 10:19 PM ET USA
No one requires any Muslim to renounce his religion or embrace Catholic religious beliefs. If Muslims wish to live in a Christian country, they must respect the right of the host nation to follow its traditions/beliefs, just as the host nation should allow Muslims to practice their faith--as long as Muslim actions will not infringe on the host's belief system or cultural practices. If the Muslim cannot abide by those rules, he should relocate to someplace more accommodating.
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Posted by: Randal Mandock -
Dec. 15, 2016 7:40 PM ET USA
Unless one of the figures is pointing the bottom of his shoe at the Muslims, why should they care? If they have a problem with figures and images, too bad. Let's check Exodus 25-40 (NAB) for the types of figures and images used in Hebrew desert worship: cherubic images, almond blossoms, pomegranates, gold bells, and 2 cherubic figures. And we find in the Temple (2 Paralipomenon 3-4, Douay OT): 2 standing cherubim, pomegranates, oxen figures, palm trees, and engraved cherubim. Graven images?
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Posted by: gary.brisebois1104 -
Dec. 15, 2016 5:54 PM ET USA
The Muslims I know celebrate the birth of Jesus, and honor his mother Mary.
