(ANSA) - Vatican City, August 1 - Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, the head of Italian bishops conference CEI, said Monday that his was baffled at criticism from some Catholics about Muslims attending Mass at churches in France and Italy on Sunday following last week's murder of a French priest by Islamist extremists. "I really don't understand the reason (for the criticism)," Bagnasco told Vatican radio.
"The presence (of Muslims at Mass) aimed to be a condemnation, a clear, absolute signal of distance by all those who do not accept any form of violence for any reason, never mind religious. "Immediately after the violent killing of that priest in Normandy, the Italian bishops asked for help from the moderate Islamic world, because we believe that the best reaction is that of a united condemnation without hesitation. This is what happened yesterday in many parts of Italy and we are very happy about it".
Bagnasco baffled by criticism of Muslims at Mass initiative
Italian church chief says initiative to condemn violence