Will Italy's Churches Become Mosques?

NEW YORK--(Italy Watch)--In Ponzano Veneto, a small Italian town north of Venice in the province of Treviso, one parish priest has an idea: on Fridays, his church will become a mosque.

Given Italy's declining rate of practicing Catholics and church-goers, don Aldo Danieli, in conjunction with il Centro Islamico di Treviso, has decided to open his doors to Muslims each Friday in the name of religious integration.

Ponzano Veneto (pop. 11,400) has an estimated 650 immigrants, most of whom come from Eastern Europe and North Africa.

The idea of changing a church into a mosque, if even temporarily, is creating a stir in this corner of Italy, known for its far-right, anti-immigrant party la Lega Nord. Luca Zaia of la Lega Nord has asked for "clarifications", stating that he is not yet convinced that the position taken by don Danieli is in line with that of la Santa Sede. Furthermore, Zaia has emphasized that it is the job of the immigrants to integrate themselves into Italian society, not vice versa.

In spite of the onslaught of criticism, don Danieli's position remains strong and unwavering, with him stating calmly: "I prefer Muslims that pray to Christians who swear."