Between Popular Devotion and Mafia Reverence. Supreme Court Rules on “Bowingµ to Bosses During Church Processions
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Abstract
The present essay examines the recent decision of the Italian Supreme Criminal Court («Corte di Cassazione penale») about the Mafia bosses homage during religious processions. In some parts of Italy, especially in southern of the country, ecclesiastical processions stop by the house of local boss, bowing the statues of saints they carry as sign of tribute. According to the Supreme Criminal Court’s ruling, this conduct constitutes the crime of disturbance of religious functions under Article 405 of the Criminal Code
Keywords
- Mafia Bosses Homage
- Ecclesiastical Processions
- Insult to Religious Sentiment
- Disturbance of Religious Functions
