Seizure and Return of Baby Jesus Figurine Amid Controversy in Castiglione
Seizure and Claim of the Figurine
The statuette of Baby Jesus from the nativity scene in the San Pietro neighborhood has been seized in recent days and immediately returned to its place, after being painted black. The action took place right before Christmas and was claimed by a self-styled Observatore Profano operational unit, which explained its gesture with a leaflet.
The text also cites the letter to the Ephesians and a passage from the Pope‘s document for the Jubilee of Migrants, emphasizing a welcoming attitude toward foreigners. It states that the black Jesus is “politically correct” and that the church authorities must “underline a clear stance against emerging forms of xenophobia,” which are also “consistent with the positions on immigration taken by the Holy Father during the Jubilee.”
“Any attempt to remove or replace the figurine — the text concludes — will be considered an act of intolerance.”
Reactions and Community Comments
“It’s difficult to identify the responsible parties,” comments the parish priest, reached by phone — “since these individuals expressed themselves anonymously. We haven’t fueled the controversy and prefer not to do so because we don’t know who to confront. We would like the author or authors of the leaflet to come forward directly.”
But how does the parish relate to the large foreign community, especially the Islamic community, in Castiglione? “For over twenty years, we have maintained truly good relations,” explains Don Marino. “We have even organized initiatives together, and more events are scheduled: between January and March, we will hold the usual cultural meetings, including reflections on immigration.”
Our parish has no problems with foreigners, for whom we also work hard through Caritas. No alarm, therefore, in local ecclesiastical circles: “If there are other signs and we find out who they come from,” concludes the parish priest, “we will act accordingly. For now, we continue our work as always.”