Berlusconi says relations with Church are excellent, but Catholic support ebbs

September 07, 2009

In comments made on an Italian news entertainment show, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi characterized his government’s relationship with the Church as excellent despite recent tension with the Italian bishops’ newspaper. “The relationship between the government and the Church will consolidate further in the coming months on important issues, such as the right-to-die bill,” he said, referring to “basic principles of civilization such as the defense of the right to life.”

However, despite Berlusconi's claims, a new poll showed the the prime minister has lost support among Italy's practicing Catholics in recent weeks, as Avvenire led the public criticism of Berlusconi's personal conduct.

 

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Further information:

• "Rapporti col Vaticano eccellenti" (Mattino Cinque)
• Berlusconi Insists Relations With Catholic Church Are Excellent (Bloomberg)
• Berlusconi's support among Catholics slips - poll (Reuters)