godfather - CathNews New Zealand https://cathnews.co.nz Catholic News New Zealand Thu, 10 Jul 2014 21:45:07 +0000 en-NZ hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1 https://cathnews.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/cropped-cathnewsfavicon-32x32.jpg godfather - CathNews New Zealand https://cathnews.co.nz 32 32 70145804 Archbishop suggests ban on naming godfathers to combat mob https://cathnews.co.nz/2014/07/04/archbishop-suggests-ban-naming-godfathers-combat-mob/ Thu, 03 Jul 2014 19:07:39 +0000 http://cathnews.co.nz/?p=60016 An Italian archbishop has proposed a 10-year moratorium on naming godfathers of baptised children, as a way to stem the influence of mob bosses. Archbishop Giuseppe Morosini of Reggio Calabria made the suggestion to Pope Francis last month. Initially the Pope rejected the proposal, but appears to have rethought the matter after visiting Calabria, home Read more

Archbishop suggests ban on naming godfathers to combat mob... Read more]]> An Italian archbishop has proposed a 10-year moratorium on naming godfathers of baptised children, as a way to stem the influence of mob bosses.

Archbishop Giuseppe Morosini of Reggio Calabria made the suggestion to Pope Francis last month.

Initially the Pope rejected the proposal, but appears to have rethought the matter after visiting Calabria, home to the ‘Ndrangheta crime syndicate.

The pontiff has asked the bishops of Calabria to discuss the idea and send him a written proposal.

Archbishop Morosoni argued that godparents in Calabria are less Christian role models and more "points of reference" and mob friends.

The "padrini" ties of blood, marriage and godparents help weave tight, clannish bonds that keep the `Ndrangheta almost impenetrable to outsiders.

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Archbishop suggests ban on naming godfathers to combat mob]]> 60016