The Rome priest who celebrated
Thursday's controversial funeral for a Rome Mob boss on Friday
pointed out that a decision to deny a funeral to right-to-die
activist Piergiorgio Welby at the same church in 2006 had been
taken by the Vicariate.
"In that case the Pope's Vicar intervened, assuming
responsibility and ordering the parish priest not to celebrate
the funeral," said Father Giancarlo Manieri.
"Welby, if I'm not mistaken, was no longer considered a
Catholic," he added.
As for clan boss Vittorio Casamonica's lavish funeral,
Manieri said: "Nobody told me anything. Praying for a dead
person, whoever he is, is not forbidden".
Father Manieri added: "For Welby too, besides, the
Salesians prayed a lot and the church stayed open all day".
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