I am a Christian. What does Giorgia Melonis victory mean for Catholics in Italy? Ive never heard any politician so perfectly explain what were up against and why we fight. As a frequent reader of our website, you know how important Americas voice is in the conversation about the church and the world. Perhaps now is the time for a nuanced reconciliation of opposites for the Italian Catholic world. The values she espouses, however, also 7 things to know about Giorgia Meloni, Italys likely new Catholic The Sino-Vatican Pact fails again: an appeal from the Catholic Church in China, Dont miss a single story. Although its legal until the unborn child is 12 weeks old (even longer in certain cases), the current law has an interesting aspect: Because the law in Italy allows an objection of conscience, doctors in Italy can refuse to practice abortion, even in public hospitals, explained Frederico Arcelli, an Italian scholar serving as senior fellow at Canadas Center for International Governance Innovation in Waterloo, Ontario. Renew or manage your subscription here. Italys history plays an essential role in understanding this reality. Our individual freedom is under attack. My faith in God is imperfect, doubtful, painful, but it is mine and only mine. She adds: Thanks to God I have chosen to be a decent person, convinced that He sees and recognizesalso in this life and not only in the nextthose who choose to be on his side. WebGiorgia Meloni, leader of the Fratelli d'Italia (Brothers of Italy), speaks at a press conference at the party electoral headquarters overnight on Sept. 26, 2022. in Rome. We will defend the value of the human being -every single human being., Of herself she says: I am Giorgia, I am a woman, I am Italian, I am Christian. At Catholic News Agency, our team is committed to reporting the truth with courage, integrity, and fidelity to our faith. Brothers of Italy was the leading party in a center-right coalition that now must form an alliance to govern. We ask readers to log in so that we can recognize you as a registered user and give you unrestricted access to our website. Jonah McKeown is a staff writer and podcast producer for Catholic News Agency. NEWS ANALYSIS: Dismissed by critics as representing only an extremist fringe, Melonis Brothers of Italy political party is now leading in polls taken ahead of the Sept. 25 national elections. In short, political correctness the Gospel that a stateless and rootless elite wants to impose is the greatest threat to the founding value of identities.. Password reset instructions will be sent to your registered email address. Subscriber Service CenterAlready a subscriber? Meloni who was raised by a single mother in Rome now has a daughter with her partner Andrea Giambruno, though the two have never married. Giorgia Meloni Wondering why we ask for your email, or having trouble registering. In an energetic speech in 2019 to the World Congress of Families, she began by outlining the area of conflict. Blessed Vasyl Velychkovsky died in 1973 and was beatified by John Paul II in 2001, along with Blessed Nykyta Budka and other Ukrainian martyrs. His Forza Italia party is a coalition partner with current Premier Giorgia Meloni, a far-right leader who came to power last year, although Berlusconi held no position in the government.. His friendship with Russian President Vladimir Putin put him at odds with Meloni, a staunch supporter of Ukraine.On his 86th birthday, while the war raged, Putin sent In the course of the in-flight press conference, the Pope also addressed the Russo-Ukrainian War and Ukraines right to defend itself, relations between the Holy See and China, and critiques that participation in the Kazakh interreligious congress risks indifferentism. It simply means explaining that the defense of the national interest is important to us as it is for the French and for the Germans.. We will defend God, the fatherland and the family from Islamization., She brought the crowd to its feet when she shouted, Yes to sexual identity, no to the ideology of gender! Giorgia Meloni is now on course to hear directly from Pope Francis, as Italian prime ministers invariably meet the pontiff in person. We are raising $250,000 to safeguard the Herald as a world-leading voice in Catholic journalism and teaching. Italys national elections on Sept. 25 ended with Giorgia Meloni, a Catholic mother, poised to become the countrys first female prime minister. At the same time, she, like the pope, is very concerned about the low birthrate in Italy and wants to increase that. People are really responding to her, to Giorgia, because she is so credible, fierce and, mainly, because she kept Brothers of Italy out of any coalition involving the left, an FdI parliamentary candidate, who asked not to be named, told the Register by telephone. The bishops said it is unfortunate that their recommendations on security and national cohesion are not adhered to. Still, Meloni has taken pains to assure world leaders that Italy would not leave the EU. Giorgia Meloni: Who is the new Italian prime minister invoking the James Baldwin's novels and essays loomed large in the 1950s and 1960s, but they have fallen out of favor with teachers in many literature courses. NEWS ANALYSIS: Dismissed by critics as representing only an extremist fringe, Melonis Brothers of Italy political party is now leading in polls taken ahead of the Sept. 25 national elections. Giorgia Meloni is not a Catholic politician. The Left have done all they can to diminish the sense of belonging to a community expressed in the shared attributes of nationhood by diluting it with experiments in multiculturalism that destroy without re-creating, replacing belonging with factionalism. In the early 1990s, a widespread corruption scandal in Italian politics called Tangentopoli wiped out traditional parties, including the Christian Democrats. In fact, in 2020, she was elected president of the European Conservative and Reformist Parties, an organization of more than 40 Western political parties, including the Republican Party. Pope Francis prays for Italy as Giorgia Meloni becomes first female Humanae Vitae: have the first shots been fired in a coming war? Everything we stand for is under attack, she declared. EWTN News, Inc. is the worlds largest Catholic news organization, comprised of television, radio, He added, Meloni is a person who has an idea of Christianity that is sui generis, and I believe that we must not judge nor jump to conclusions before seeing how she moves.. They want a right wing on a leash, trained as a monkey. The Left have pursued an unremitting assault on the family and in particular the rights of parents, even to the point of promoting the sexualisation of children in the new gender wars. Whether it is so-called wokery, or cancel culture, turbo-charged political correctness or Cultural Marxism, the secular assault on Christendom involves a series of attacks on the values that Christianity in particular identifies with and defends. Giorgia Melonis administration has appointed a special envoy dedicated to ensure that religious freedom can be everywhere.. He holds a Masters Degree from the University of Missouri School of Journalism and has worked as a writer, as a producer for public radio, and as a videographer. More and more, dioceses are closing or consolidating parishes to cope with the twin realities of fewer priests and declining Mass attendance. WebIt was highly significant that Meloni chose to quote GK Chesterton, one of the principle Catholic exponents of the struggle to defend faith against secularist assault. This explains why Catholic hierarchies in Italy have shown a degree of openness toward the politician following her electoral victory. Giorgia Meloni: 7 Things to Know About Italys Likely New Catholic Religious freedom is not a second-class right, she said. By Edie Heipel, Jonah McKeown. Still, Meloni has taken pains to assure world leaders that Italy would not leave the EU. She hopes with their aid, and that of other right-wing parties, to bring about change in the European Union to the advantage of the sovereign national states over the unions central government in Brussels. We ask our visitors to confirm their email to keep your account secure and make sure you're able to receive email from us. The press describes her as fascist. It is up to Italian President Sergio Mattarella tonominatesomeone from the winning coalition as prime minister, a process that could take several weeks. Strikingly, Meloni has said she has failed at times to understand Pope Francis. The populist reactions we are seeing in Canada, in Sweden and in Italy are similar, observed John Farina, professor of religious studies at George Mason University, who has lived and taught in Italy. Italys national He is a contributor to the National Catholic Register. She repudiates the accusation; and in an interview with an Israeli newspaper theIsrael Hayomdeclared: we have handed fascism over to history for decades now, firmly condemning the loss of democracy, the outrageous anti-Jewish laws, and the tragedy of World War II.. She wept on that occasion. Check out some of the. There is no evidence Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni replaced or countered LGBTQ Pride celebrations with Family Pride month, despite contrary claims spreading Of her relationship with the Church Meloni has reflected on her difficulties with the present pope:Maybe its age, maybe the memories, but even though Im Catholic and Ive never allowed myself to criticise a pope, I admit that I havent always understood Pope Francis., Sometimes I feel like a lost sheep, and I hope one day to have the privilege of being able to talk to him, because Im sure that his big eyes and his direct words can give meaning to the things I dont understand., Her response to John Paul II was different:He was the greatest pope of the modern era and the greatest statesman of the 20thcenturyBut he was also more. We won't rent or sell your information, and you can unsubscribe at any time. He is based in St. Louis. The amendment called surrogacy an example of the commercialization of the female body and of the very children who are born through such practices, who are treated like commodities., Meloni said earlier this year that her opposition to such policies is not because she is homophobic but that she believes every child has the right to have a mother and a father for stability., She cited her personal experience growing up in a single-parent home, saying, I lived [in] a family condition that [made] me see this.. Italys new guidelines have also extended legal permission for the abortion pill to be taken up until the ninth rather than seventh week of gestation. New parties arose, and members of the Christian Democrats joined these or were part of varying political formations. She worked various jobs, including as a waitress and as a nanny, before becoming a full-time politician. It simply means explaining that the defense of the national interest is important to us as it is for the French and for the Germans.. Click here to sign in or get access. Blessed Vasyl Velychkovsky, Soviet Prisoner Who Found Refuge in Canada, Pray For Us! monetization of National Catholic Register RSS feeds is strictly prohibited. Everything will be denied. Meloni has been branded as far-right and fascist by media outlets, pro-abortion and LGBTQ activists, and world leaders a label she has rejected. The education of our children is under attack.. This page is available to subscribers. There is much speculation about how Pope Francis and Giorgia Meloni will relate to each other. It was as if I had lost my grandfather, because he, simply, had always been there He was a great man, a saint.. Giorgia Meloni Surrogacy and in vitro fertilization (IVF) are banned for same-sex couples, for example, who must travel outside the country for such procedures. The DJs who made it intended to mock her; instead, they helped boost her popularity. We will fight it standing tall!. Silvio Berlusconi, scandal-scarred former Italian leader, dies at 86 The other is League (Liga), led by Matteo Salvini. At Catholic News Agency, our team is committed to reporting the truth with courage, integrity, and fidelity to our faith. One social issue that does not figure in Italian elections is abortion, regulated by law since the 1970s. Meloni has made her views against same-sex unions widely known, referring to LGBTQ content as woke ideology and promising to continue opposing policies allowing homosexual couples to adopt or have children through surrogacy. Italy has Europes fourth-largest population and third-largest economy, but it is heavily in debt. At Catholic News Agency, our team is committed to Pope Francis sent birthday greetings to Italian President Sergio Mattarella and thanked him for his dedicated service amid "not a few difficulties.". In 2018, FdI achieved a mere 4.4% of the national vote. Giorgia Meloni | Party, Policies, & Italy | Britannica Compared with others, her campaign did not exploit religious faith. When you subscribe to the CNA UPDATE, we'll send you a daily email with links to the news you need and, occasionally, breaking news. Renew or manage your subscription here. Copyright 2023 EWTN News, Inc. All rights reserved. Having been unable to sell in churches for well over a year due to the pandemic, we are now inviting readers to support the Herald by investing in our future. Victor Gaetan Victor Gaetan is a senior correspondent for the National Catholic Register, focusing on international issues. print and digital media outlets, dedicated to reporting the truth in light of the Gospel and the Its the same all over the world. At 15, I wasnt really thinking. 1 2 By Courtney Mares Rome Newsroom, Oct 24, 2022 / 05:15 am Pope Francis offered a prayer for Italy on Sunday as Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni became the countrys first female leader. Then, Catholicism in Italy fluctuated between the need for identity and the narrative of a rupture, which wanted a Church more committed to social issues and less to the centers of power. As in France and, more recently, Sweden, support for the hard right comes up against demographic and cultural realities which mean such politics is often fighting a losing battle. Please join us on our 130 year mission by supporting us. Why am I being asked to create an account? She describes herself as Italian, Christian, woman, mother. In an interview with Reuters last month, she dismissed any suggestion that her party was nostalgic for the fascist era and distanced herself from comments she made in 1996, as a teenager, which some critics took as a praising Benito Mussolini. For almost 30 years, he was always there. We are on the side of the people, she continued. This does not mean that we want to destroy Europe, that we want to leave Europe, that we want to do crazy things, shesaid. That said, unlike in the Czech Republic, Hungary or Poland, demographic and cultural conditions in Italy may tie Melonis hands and whatever issues she may have with Brussels as a Eurozone state, Italys hands are largely tied here as well. FdIs success this year is synonymous with the charismatic candidates persona: Her piercing blue eyes peer from campaign posters promising, Ready to revive Italy! from the Fletcher School of International Law and Diplomacy, and a Ph.D. in Ideology in Literature from Tufts University. Edie Heipel is a former Political Correspondent for CNA's Washington, D.C. bureau. In fact, the party in Italy that most To fully understand the context, it is worth remembering that Zuppi is an exponent of SantEgidio, a movement closer to the demands of the center-left than the center-right. Giorgia Meloni Torches UN's LGBT Agenda, Instead Introduces It wants to replace the individual with the collective; it wants to silence free speech and control thought crime; it wants the diminishment of national and gender identity in order to replace it with a form of homogenous world order. Soon, however, the policy of the Italian bishops became not to support political formations but rather the values and themes promoted within the various parties no longer, therefore, a Catholic party, but Catholics in politics. Meloni has also taken a hardline stance against China andcalledon Italian athletes to boycott Beijing in the 2008 Olympics. Blessed Vasyl Velychkovsky, Soviet Prisoner Who Found Refuge in Canada, Pray For Us! With Cardinal Gualtiero Bassetti, who became president of the Italian Bishops Conference in 2014, the Church in Italy has aimed more at a concrete look at the issues of poverty and the economy, arguably losing sight, somewhat, of the values platform. . Today, barely one-quarter of Italys Catholics are practising. The victory of Giorgia Meloni and her Fratelli dItalia (Brothers of Italy) party in Italys recent election made global headlines. In general, the Italian bishops do not endorse any particular political candidate, keep a low profile, and only issue statements regarding the bishops conference president or possibly the secretary of state. In HereticsChesterton wrote:We who are Christians never knew the great philosophic common sense which inheres in that mystery until the anti-Christian writers pointed it out to us. In August, Meloni posted a video on social media saying she would introduce a naval blockade to patrol the Mediterranean and return migrants to their countries of origin, NPR reported. Lacking a political party of reference, the Catholic center looked to the party that most corresponded to specific values. This page is available to subscribers. The last government, the Draghi government, engaged in unprecedented spending, explained Arcelli. We are raising $250,000 to safeguard the Herald as a world-leading voice in Catholic journalism and teaching. Today, Berlusconi leads Forward Italy (Forza Italia), one of two center-right parties running in coalition with FdI. Like it or not we will defend God, country, and family., This is Italys new Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. You would think Pope Francis a progressive who believes in female empowerment would be delighted that Giorgia Meloni is set to become the first female Prime Minister of Italy. In August, Meloniposted a videoon social media saying she would introduce a naval blockade to patrol the Mediterranean and return migrants to their countries of origin, NPR reported. It was one of the fastest government formations in the history of We have been a bold and influential voice in the church since 1888, standing up for traditional Catholic culture and values. Meloni amongst many others, insists the real threat to human liberty comes now from the Left. or school. It is instead Catholic and Christian, and should be recognised and celebrated as such. Fortunately for Christians, Giorgia Meloni is having none of it, and has called out the UN for this blatant threat to religious liberty. (Pronti a risollevare lItalia!). In the snap elections called after former prime minister Mario Draghis unity government collapsed due to economic and military tensions Melonis Brothers of Italy party captured the most votes at around 26%, skyrocketing from a roughly 4% share four years ago. If you login and register your print subscription number with your account, youll have unlimited access to the website. Access to legal abortions is limited, however, due to widespread opposition from Italian doctors 68.4% as of 2017,accordingto the Italian Ministry of Health whoopposeperforming abortions due to conscience objections. The nominee is likely to be Meloni, who will then be tasked with assembling a majority in Parliament. Whilst the secular progressive and anti-Catholic Left do all they can to portray political stances in the terms that were current in the first half of the Twentieth century, Christians in particular see the threat, not only to them and the Church, but to democracy and humanitarian values, as coming from the new Left, and not the Right. EIN 27-4581132 They both see the need to create jobs so that young, qualified people do not have to leave the country. Ms. Meloni describes St. John Paul II as another very great man (like Father Guido), and the greatest pope of the modern era. He had a considerable impact on her because with simplicity and his powerful example, he brought me close to God. She met him four times, in her political role as city councilor. More and more, dioceses are closing or consolidating parishes to cope with the twin realities of fewer priests and declining Mass attendance. 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To be fair, Sunday was the Churchs World Day of Migrants and Refugees, but the words felt more than coincidental. I am a woman. For his part, Pope Francis has left Italian politics to the Italian bishops conference, and its president, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, who is very close to Francis, knows her. Sign-up for E-NewsletterGet Register Updates sent daily or weeklyto your inbox. Your source for jobs, books, retreats, and much more. In her 2021 autobiography, I Am Giorgia: My Roots, My Ideas (Io Sono Giorgia: Le Mie Radici Le Mie Idee), the candidate expresses deep admiration for Pope John Paul II as a great man, a saint., She writes, He was the greatest pope of the modern era and the greatest statesman of the 20thcentury., Regarding Pope Francis, she is more equivocal: [E]ven though Im Catholic and Ive never allowed myself to criticize a pope, I admit that I havent always understood Pope Francis.. Sign up for 6 Free IssuesTry us out with a free trial subscription. Heres what we do (and dont) know about the Vatican interventions. Blessed Nykyta Budka died in 1949 and was beatified by John Paul II in 2001, along with Blessed Vasyl Velychkovsky and other Ukrainian martyrs. When you subscribe to the CNA UPDATE, we'll send you a daily email with links to the news you need and, occasionally, breaking news. Meloni has made it clear that she opposes the practice of migrants sailing from places such as North Africa to the Italian shore. The Catholic Press Association of North America has given his articles four first place awards, including Individual Excellence, over the last five years. She blames what she calls financial speculators: They attack, national identity, religious identity, attack, gender, identity and family identity . Giorgia Meloni Giorgia Meloni, leader of the Fratelli d'Italia (Brothers of Italy), speaks at a press conference at the party electoral headquarters overnight on Sept. 26, 2022. in Rome. In her autobiography she wrote:You see, political correctness is a shockwave, a cancel culture that tries to upset and remove every single beautiful, honourable and human thing that our civilisation has developed. The current Italian Democratic Party, considered center-left, is made up of former members of the Christian Democrats as well as members of the old left parties. Oct 24, 2022 By Courtney Mares Pope Francis offered a prayer for Italy on Sunday as Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni became the countrys first female leader. Mar 5, 2021 12:01 AM In light of this weekend's Italian election results, we hope you'll revisit this interview with the new prime minister. This is a reality to be ignored at peril. Giorgia is tapping into this. Sign up to our newsletter, Mauris accumsan mi nec orci volutpat, eu imperdiet tellus tempus. We won't rent or sell your information, and you can unsubscribe at any time. In short, the reality of Melonis politics is much more nuanced than it may seem at first glance. Italy has a new prime minister. Her first encounter with him, at the age of 21, was electrifying, she writes. Rome, Italy, Sep 29, 2022 / 11:00 am (CNA). Your monthly donation will help our team continue reporting the truth, with fairness, integrity, and fidelity to Jesus Christ and his Church. Is it time for a revival of his works? Melonis anti-immigration stance puts her somewhat at odds with Pope Francis, who hasfrequently spokenabout the need to welcome migrants and refugees. In the snap elections called after former prime minister Mario Draghis unity government collapsed due to economic and militarytensions Melonis Brothers of Italy party captured the most votes at around 26%, skyrocketing from a roughly 4% share four years ago. I am a mother. The victory of Giorgia Meloni and her Fratelli dItalia (Brothers of Italy) party in Italys recent election made global headlines. WebShe advocates traditional Catholic family values but says she will maintain Italy's abortion law, which allows terminations but permits doctors to refuse to carry them out. Meloni also kept a low profile. To all this, it must be added that the culture in Italy has been strongly forged by leftist thinking. Melonis anti-immigration stance puts her somewhat at odds with Pope Francis, who has frequently spoken about the need to welcome migrants and refugees. Like it or not we will defend God, country, and family., This is Italys new Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.Ive never heard any politician so perfectly explain what were up against and why we fight. 2006 ta a Kpviselhz tagja. Giorgia Meloni, who has not always understood - Catholic Herald What do these interventions mean? ) olasz politikus, 2022-tl Olaszorszg miniszterelnke, az orszg els ni kormnyfje.Az Olaszorszg Fivrei nev prt vezetje s az Eurpai Konzervatvok s Reformerek Prtja eurpai politikai prt (wd) elnke. Giorgia Meloni: We are the heirs of St. Benedict - The Catholic Thing Catholics had been among the first opponents of fascism. Meloni has described herself in speeches as a Christian and has publicly expressed her admiration for St. John Paul II. She was also present at the Communion and Liberation Meeting in Rimini, which takes place every August, and spoke about Catholic social teaching. Everything depends on definitions, of course. The nominee is likely to be Meloni, who will then be tasked with assembling a majority in Parliament. She said the EU had recently distributed a report calling on countries to be inclusive by deleting references to Christmas, Jesus and Mary. Father Riley told CNA that parishioners are shocked and filled with grief but are supporting each other with deep faith that Jesus is risen and they are with the Lord. Cardinal Sen OMalley will offer a Mass for the deceased in Rome. No, we will not. In the section of the book entitled I am Christian, she begins by saying, I owe everything to my mother. She reveals that her mother, Anna, gave birth to her at the age of 23, resisting pressures to have an abortion.