Sicily
As pandemic spreads, Italy’s south turns to Pope Francis, saints
By Claire Giangravé — April 2, 2020
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Positive coronavirus cases have started to grow in Italy’s very religious south, where high levels of unemployment and organized crime complicate the application of stringent rules to prevent the spread of the pandemic.
First synagogue in 500 years to open in Sicily
By Josephine McKenna — January 11, 2017
ROME (RNS) At an official ceremony to be held Thursday (Jan. 12), the Catholic Archdiocese of Palermo will transfer to the Jewish community a chapel, the Oratory of Santa Maria al Sabato.
Italian priest charged with soliciting sexual favors from desperate refugees
By Josephine McKenna — June 25, 2014
ROME (RNS) The priest is accused of at least 10 episodes of sexual violence against immigrants since 2009, and he also faces embezzlement charges after the alleged discovery of 10,000 euros ($13,600 ) inside his church.
Mob threats aside, Pope Francis will pray with victims of organized crime
By Eric J. Lyman — March 17, 2014
ROME (RNS) In November, famed anti-mob prosecutor Nicola Gratteri said Pope Francis’ financial reforms at the Vatican were making the Calabrian mob “very nervous" and could prompt death threats.
Sicily bishop forbids church funerals for mobsters
By Alessandro Speciale — June 24, 2013
ROME (RNS) “Being a Christian is incompatible with having links to Mafia organizations,” said a Sicilian bishop who won't allow church funerals for convicted mobsters.
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