© europics.at

27. 04. 09. - 14:00

• more Around the World news
• RSS Feed Around the World

27. 04. 09. - 14:00

Swastika priest

A priest has shocked parishioners by welcoming them to church wearing a swastika armband.

Fascist Father Angelo Idi, 51 - who once saw off a charity box thief with a truncheon at his church in Vigevano, Italy - confessed: "I am proud of my right wing beliefs. But people shouldn't care about my politics, they should care about how good a priest I am."

In northern Italy where former dictator Benito Mussolini comes from the far right Italian LEGA NORD (Northern League) have their political stronghold - and there have been several instances of priests with far right views that have embarrassed the Catholic Church.

Last month a right wing Italian priest who is a member of Richard Williamson's Pius fraternity was caught giving the Hitler salute at a neo-fascist rally - but claimed he was just trying to bless his flock.

Catholic priest Giulio Tam, well known for his extremist right views, raised his right arm when speaking at a rally of the neo-fascist Forza Nuova party in Bergamo, northern Italy.

The ultra-conservative Pius fraternity hit the headlines recently as British Catholic bishop and Holocaust denier Richard Williamson is a member.

After a picture revealed Tam raising his right hand, he argued: "The young people of the Forza Nuova wanted me to bless them. I'll always be on their side."

Tam regards Italian dictator Benito Mussolini as a martyr and has in the past held masses at Mussolini's grave.

Austrian Times

Old woman saved from fire
A 91-year-old woman was saved by her neighbour yesterday (Mon) after her house caught fire.

Avalanche danger warnings as more snow predicted
The danger of avalanches remains extremely high in many Austrian provinces with more heavy new snow on the way from tomorrow (Weds), experts said today.

Austrians cutting back
Austrians are cutting back as the economy continues to struggle out of recession, new research has shown.

Styria to invest €42.4mn in vocational schools
The Styrian government will invest 42.4 million Euros in renovation of provincial vocational schools, boarding schools and homes for apprentices, according to Social Democratic (SPÖ) educational councillor Elisabeth Grossmann.

Austrians targeted by fraudsters
Austrians are being targeted by fraudsters throughout Europe, police warned today (Tues).

German GLS Bank to open Vienna office
German GLS Bank announced yesterday (Mon) it will open an office in Vienna this year.

Millionaire gives it all away
Tyrolean multi-millionaire Karl Rabeder has told how he has given away his 3 million Euro fortune to help others after realising his money has never made him happy.

Footprints in the snow lead cops to arsonist
An arsonist who fled after setting a factory ablaze for the second time was caught when cops followed his footprints in the snow.

Waldorf school celebrates 30th anniversary
The Rudolf Steiner Foundation’s "Waldorf School Klagenfurt" celebrates its 30th Anniversary this year. Austrian Times correspondent John Morris was at one of the anniversary events.

National team give €20,000 for Haiti aid
The Austrian football national team have donated 20,000 Euros to the victims of the earthquake in Haiti.