Catholic Church Considering Banning Godparents to Curb Mafia Influence

By admin July 3, 2014 15:19

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PHOENIX — The Catholic Church is considering a ban on godparents at christenings to curb mafia incluence.

An archbishop in one of southern Italy’s mafia strongholds has proposed a 10-year ban on naming godparents at religious ceremonies to prevent the church being ‘exploited’ to create bonds between mafia clans.

Mob clans use baptisms and confirmations to create alliances between criminal families and the role of godfather, or ‘padrino,’ helps them forge bonds with the next generation.

Pope Francis visited a mafia powerbase in June and condemned mobsters in the strongest possible terms, saying they were ‘excommunicated’ for their evil deeds. Previously he has called on them to repent.