“Catholics in politics. Free or scattered?”. The Italian Federation of Catholic Weeklies (FISC, 162 weeklies for a total print-run of a million copies) intends to make a contribution to the question at its extraordinary Assembly, now being held in Rome from 23 to 25 November, to mark the 40th anniversary of its foundation (27 November 1966). “Faithful to the tradition of their historic commitment through the territory – declares Father Giorgio Zucchelli, President of the FISC – our weeklies intend to embrace the reflection of the Italian Church on the political commitment of Catholics in Italy. In the light of the teaching of Benedict XVI and his recall of ‘non-negotiable principles’, these weeklies wish to contribute to a political culture that is founded on the freedom that comes from the faith and that unites Catholics, engaged in different political alignments, to work together for the common good and thus to respond to the challenges especially of life, the family and religious liberty”. Cardinal Camillo Ruini, President of the Italian Bishops’ Conference, gave the inaugural address at the assembly on 23 November. Today, 25 November the delegates will be received in audience by Benedict XVI.
