Calabrian Mafia Attacks Catholic Church

Friends of Ours ^ | 04/06/10 | Friends of Ours

[AtlasStalled]

In southern Italy prosecutors "are investigating the alleged intimidation of a local priest by Calabrian mafia gunmen which led to the cancellation of a traditional Easter vigil procession" as reported by Adnkronos:

Last Saturday's traditional Affruntata procession in the Calabrian village of Sant'Onofrio was cancelled after suspected mafia gunmen fired rounds of bullets outside the home of the procession's organiser, local priest Michele Virdo. * * * The gun attack against Virdo's residence followed the exclusion of local mafia members from the Affruntata on orders of the bishop of the surrounding Vibo-Mileto-Tropea diocese, Monsignor Luigi Renzo. * * * In a longstanding tradition, young members of the local Calabrian mafia carry statues of the Virgin Mary, Jesus and various saints during the Affruntata procession. Taking part in the Affruntata is reportedly considered a rite of passage for many young people aligned with the mafia.

The drug trafficking 'Ndrangheta controls the annual Affruntata procession in many Calabrian towns as reported by John Hooper for The Guardian:

For as long as anyone can remember, the privilege of carrying the figures has fallen to members of the local mafia, or 'Ndrangheta. The chance to be a bearer or figurante was traditionally decided by auction, and the local mob ensured its bids were successful. Similar procedures were, and are, followed in many other Calabrian towns and villages with religious processions. Sealed envelopes, bulging with cash, ensure the mafia plays a central role in an event which, in many places, marks the high point of the year. * * * What was once a religious ceremony had thus become an ingenious way of telling the local population who should be treated with "respect."

[Clemenza]

‘Ndrangheta of Reggio versus the Holy Mafia of Rome was what I thought when I read the headline. This is against a local religious fraternity, however, so there can be more than meets the eye here.