Italian prosecutors recently launched an inquiry into a religious procession in Catania in Sicily, that paid homage to a convicted mafia don earlier this month. While a band played the theme of The Godfather, a 1972 film directed by Francis Ford Coppola, police in plain clothes observed the provocative gesture as the procession marched through the streets of Paterno, which is home to the notorious Cosa Nostra Mafia.
Local men, bearing two statues of patron saint Santa Barbara, both enclosed in ornate gold catafalques, stopped outside the residence of Salvatore Assinnata, a convicted gangster, who is currently in prison for his association with the Sicilian mafia. The locals performed two salutes, bowing the catafalques both times, before moving on.
Video footage of the tribute to Santa Barbara was shared on Facebook by Assinnata’s family. Evidently, the procession was attended by hundreds of people. Plain-clothed police immediately reported the incident to prosecutors, who are now investigating the authority that allowed the procession to be organized.
Marcello Cardona, the prosecutor leading the investigation, said, “Such episodes show a clear demonstration of intimidation, typical of the mafia, and represent conduct that is prejudicial to the maintenance of public order.”
Priests in some parts of southern Italy continue to turn a blind eye to the local mafia’s criminal activities even though the Roman Catholic Church has often been made to feel embarrassed by religious processions in the area traditionally paying homage to mafia gangsters. However, many gangsters associated with the mafia claim to be God-fearing Catholics, with some of them invoking the names of saints even during their secret induction ceremonies.
Mauro Mangano, the mayor of Paternò, said, “To take advantage of a religious festival in honour of our patron saint in order to convey a message against legality and to celebrate the culture of the mafia is an intolerable act for our community. We will do all we can to prevent the people behind this gesture from taking part in future celebrations in honour of Santa Barbara.”
Photo Credits: Sicily 4 U
