Rome angered over ‘Godfather’ themed funeral for alleged mob boss

Last updated on: August 22, 2015 at 10:02 pm by CNA Daily News

Rome angered over ‘Godfather’ themed funeral for alleged mob boss 2015-08-22T22:02:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Rome, Italy, Aug 22, 2015 / 04:02 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- An outlandish funeral for an alleged Italian mob boss, complete with a horse-drawn carriage, flower petals strewn from a helicopter and a brass band playing theme music from the movie “The Godfather” was slammed by Rome’s politicians Thursday as an intolerable display of impunity.

Hundreds gathered outside the church of San Giovanni Bosco on the outskirts of Rome to pay their respects to Vittorio Casamonica, 65, who’s been identified as the leader of the Casamonica clan, which has previously been accused of racketeering, extortion and drug trafficking.

According to local authorities, Vittorio Casamonica was "on the margins" of organized crime and hasn’t surfaced as a suspect in recent mafia probes.

Banners outside the church described him as the "King of Rome" and pictured him alongside the colosseum and St. Peter’s Basilica. "You conquered Rome, now you'll conquer paradise," read another.

The scene was broadcast across local TV stations all afternoon and evening.

The pastor, Rev. Giancarlo Manieri, said he had no control over what happened outside of his church, and according to ANSA news agency, the funeral ceremony inside was not atypical.

The funeral came just a day after a judge set Nov. 5th as the trial date for 59 people charged in recent mafia investigations in Rome.

Rosy Bindi, president of the parliamentary anti-mafia commission, said it was “alarming” that a funeral for someone purportedly caught up in the mob could be “transformed into an ostentatious show of mafia power,” according to reports from Fox News.

She added that it was proof of the stronghold of the mafia in Rome, and should serve as a call to action to redouble investigation efforts of corruption in government.

“Never again. Rome cannot be defaced by those who want it to became the set of the Godfather,” Matteo Orfini, president of the ruling Democratic Party, said on Twitter about the event.

Rome Mayor Ignazio Marino said it was “intolerable that funerals are used by the living to send mafia messages,” according to BBC reports.

Arturo Scotto and Celeste Costantino, of the Left Ecology Liberty (SEL) party, called on Interior Minister Angelino Alfano to explain how such a funeral could take place.

“These funerals might seem like a folkloric custom, but in reality, they send a clear message of impunity on the part of the clans: we still exist and we are powerful,” they said in a statement in Italian posted on Facebook.

Several commenters also noted that the Casamonica funeral took place at the same church were, in 2006, the Archdiocese of Rome blocked a funeral for Piergiorgio Welby, who had become a symbol of the “right-to-die” movement in Italy, which contradicts Church teaching.

Europe

Previous Post

August 22, 2015

Hilton hotels worldwide to remove on-demand porn

Next Post

August 23, 2015 Archbishop Cordileone thankful for San Francisco teacher contract agreement

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What does "Tabernacle" mean?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Dwelling place Holy altar Sacrifice Cupboard