In Capocastello di Mercogliano, Italy, an untraditional church nativity scene has angered conservative Catholics and politicians. Instead of the typical Mary and Joseph figurines, this nativity scene features two mothers of the Baby Jesus. Nativity scenes are a popular tradition in Italy, but they have become a battleground in recent years as the country becomes increasingly secular and multi-cultural. The priest at the Church of Saints Peter and Paul, Father Vitaliano Della Sala, has defended the unorthodox depiction of the birth of Jesus.
He stated, “I wanted to show with this scene that families are no longer just the traditional ones. In our parishes we see more and more children from the new types of families that exist and are part of our society, children of separated and divorced people, gay couples, single people, young mothers.”
Father Della Sala, known in Italy for his support of LGBT and left-wing causes, says his attitude aligns with that of Pope Francis, who recently allowed priests to bless same-sex couples. However, Senator Maurizio Gasparri of the co-ruling Forza Italia party condemned the LGBT nativity scene, stating that it “offends all those who always had respect and devotion for the Holy Family”. The Pro-Life and Family group also criticized the scene, calling it “dangerous, as well as shameful and blasphemous”.
Pro-Vita launched an online petition calling on the bishop of Avellino to intervene, stating that the scene contradicted the Church’s teachings on the family and legitimized same-sex parenting and surrogacy, which is currently illegal in Italy. This controversy comes as parliament is discussing a law that would criminalize couples who resort to surrogacy by going abroad.
Additionally, a senator from Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s party proposed a bill to prevent school directors from halting Catholic-themed activities such as Christmas plays or the making of nativity scenes. Amidst this cultural and political turmoil, the battle over the meaning and representation of traditional and non-traditional families continues in Italy.
(Writing by Alvise Armellini; Editing by Gavin Jones and Mike Harrison)
