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Rocco Buttiglione, the Italian politician who was forced to withdraw as a candidate for EU commissioner, has confirmed to the BBC that he plans to set up a Christian coalition in Europe.
At the beginning of November, newspapers reported rumours that he planned to form a religious lobby group to “battle for the freedom of Christians”.
Senior aides to the Italian minister told the Sunday Telegraph that the new Christian network would not take the form of a political party, but would be a kind of “movement or association” committed to a greater role for Christian principles in public life.
They added that the political professor, who will remain in the Italian government, was inspired by the role of Christian voters in the US Presidential election.
One close adviser said: “Mr. Buttiglione is thinking of a novel idea: a kind of resurgent Christian political movement in Europe. The success of President George W. Bush in mobilizing the Christian vote in America…is a sign of what can be done.”
The comments will raise fears of a European version of the US Christian Coalition or Moral Majority which has recently been revived by fundamentalist Jerry Falwell in a modified form. The group campaigns predominantly on issues of homosexuality and abortion.
Mr Buttiglione’s nomination as EU justice commissioner came under fire after he expressed views condemning homosexuality and abortion, with opponents accusing him of bringing prejudices into the political process.
But he told BBC World Service’s Reporting Religion programme that he would now be forming a Christian lobby group dedicated to bringing ‘Christian principles’ into the European decision-making process.
ekklesia.co.uk/content/news_syndication/article_04122but.shtml
At the beginning of November, newspapers reported rumours that he planned to form a religious lobby group to “battle for the freedom of Christians”.
Senior aides to the Italian minister told the Sunday Telegraph that the new Christian network would not take the form of a political party, but would be a kind of “movement or association” committed to a greater role for Christian principles in public life.
They added that the political professor, who will remain in the Italian government, was inspired by the role of Christian voters in the US Presidential election.
One close adviser said: “Mr. Buttiglione is thinking of a novel idea: a kind of resurgent Christian political movement in Europe. The success of President George W. Bush in mobilizing the Christian vote in America…is a sign of what can be done.”
The comments will raise fears of a European version of the US Christian Coalition or Moral Majority which has recently been revived by fundamentalist Jerry Falwell in a modified form. The group campaigns predominantly on issues of homosexuality and abortion.
Mr Buttiglione’s nomination as EU justice commissioner came under fire after he expressed views condemning homosexuality and abortion, with opponents accusing him of bringing prejudices into the political process.
But he told BBC World Service’s Reporting Religion programme that he would now be forming a Christian lobby group dedicated to bringing ‘Christian principles’ into the European decision-making process.
ekklesia.co.uk/content/news_syndication/article_04122but.shtml
