In Italy, there’s a church nativity scene that’s causing quite a stir. Instead of the usual Mary and Joseph figures, it shows two mothers with Baby Jesus. This has upset conservative Catholics and politicians.
Nativity scenes are popular in Italy, especially since it’s a mostly Catholic country. But recently, they’ve become a battleground in cultural disputes as the society becomes more secular and diverse.
The priest at the Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Capo Castello di Mercogliano, near Naples, is defending the unique nativity scene. Father Vitaliano Della Sala, who is known for supporting LGBT and left-wing causes, explains that he wanted to represent the changing face of families. He says families aren’t just the traditional ones anymore.
Father Della Sala’s views align with Pope Francis, who recently allowed priests to bless same-sex couples in a historic decision. However, Senator Maurizio Gasparri from the Forza Italia party, part of the ruling coalition, disagrees. He finds the LGBT-themed nativity scene offensive to those who respect the Holy Family.
The Pro-Vita & Famiglia (Pro-Life and Family) group goes further, calling it “dangerous, shameful, and blasphemous.” They’ve launched an online petition urging the bishop of Avellino to step in, claiming the nativity scene contradicts the Church’s teachings on family and supports same-sex parenting and surrogacy.
The petition has gained over 21,000 signatures. Surrogacy is illegal in Italy, and there’s ongoing parliamentary discussion about a law that would criminalize Italian couples going abroad for surrogacy.
This week, a senator from Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party proposed a bill to prevent school directors from stopping Catholic-themed activities like Christmas plays or making nativity scenes.
