A priest has sparked controversy for telling churchgoers: “Mary is free because she knows how to obey – tell that to the feminists.”
Don Giuseppe Laterza made the eyebrow-raising remarks during a Christmas Novena prayer on Saturday (20 Dec) morning.
He told the faithful: “Mary is truly free, free because she knows how to obey. You see, Mary is the truly freest woman in the world. We should tell that to some feminists.”
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The crass sermon at Conversano Cathedral in Italy’s Apulia region was live-streamed, and the footage quickly went viral on social media, drawing a wave of angry responses.
Liana wrote: “Our home-grown Taliban.”
Natascia commented: “A backward, sexist misogynist! I feel sorry for him, but the ‘witches’ are back!”
Maicol added: “The fact remains that he could have avoided that pointless, petty and misogynistic remark.”
Roby quipped: “How to lose the few practising believers you have. Perfect strategy!”
Laterza served as archbishop of the now-defunct Diocese of Vartana from 2023 to 2024, as reported by Need To Know.
He was also appointed by Pope Francis as apostolic nuncio – essentially the Vatican’s ambassador – to the Central African Republic and Chad.
Just one day before his controversial comments, he had shared photos of himself at an audience with Pope Leo XIV.
Not everyone reacted with outrage.
Raf said: “I’m glad that there is at least one bishop who criticises feminism.
“I just hope he isn’t forced to retract. It’s incredible how, in this society, you can attack anything and anyone – except feminism.”
Claudio added: “In today’s ‘open’ society, flaunting its freedom and democracy, you can say anything – except what’s out of fashion.”
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