Seriously – what’s the point of being a defender of the faith if you’re actually incapable of doing so? ➡ Italian priest scraps town’s annual Nativity scene because it might offend Muslims ~

An Italian priest has cancelled his town’s annual Nativity scene over fears it may offend the Muslim community.
 
 

Father Sante Braggie, chaplain of the Municipal Cemetery of Cremona and curate of the local parish in Northern Italy, said the display was typically set up within eyesight of a “small corner of the cemetery” that was “reserved for Muslim graves.” […]

 
According to the Corriere della Sera, Father Braggie said: ‘A crib positioned within sight of them could be seen as a lack of respect for followers of other faiths, hurt the sensibilities of Muslims, as well as Indians and even atheists.

 
This guy needs to hang up his cassock.
 
Here’s the deal, Christianity and Islam make mutually-exclusive truth claims; they cannot both be true.
 
If Father Braggie actually believed what Christianity professes: we are all eternal beings created by God, Jesus is the Son of God who was crucified and died for our sins, He rose from the dead and ascended into heaven, and He will return to judge the living and the dead… he would know that his primary responsibility is to share the Good News with everyone – including Muslims – so that as many people as possible can be saved. He certainly would not be ashamed of the Gospel, and afraid to offend.

 
In other words, in light of eternity, and despite any personal qualms, it is incumbent upon all pastors or priests – at the temporal risk of offending – to point as many souls as they’re able to salvation.
 
At least the town of Cremona has the good sense to be upset with this pathetic cleric

(H)is predecessor Father Oreste Mori said he ‘could not believe’ the decision and described it as ‘renouncing our culture and traditions’ and ‘an unpardonable weakness’.
He told the paper: ‘I am, for the time being at least, in Italy, not Saudi Arabia.’ […]
 
The decision has caused outrage in the town with councillors said to be trying to persuade the priest to change his mind.

Meanwhile, here’s how fearful some Egyptian Muslims are of offending Coptic Christians in that country ~ Egypt’s Copts mourn after ‘deadliest attack in recent memory’ ~

Twenty-four people were killed and dozens more injured during the bomb attack on a chapel adjacent to the Coptic Orthodox Cathedral of St. Mark in Cairo yesterday (11 December). All but three of those who died were women and children.

 
Martyred for their faith. Perhaps that’s what Father Braggie is truly afraid of.
 
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Related:
Italian priest nixes Nativity scene to avoid offending Muslims