"Sicilian bishop braves Mafia death threats"

A Sicilian bishop who refused to celebrate the funeral Mass of a mafia boss is under police protection after receiving death threats, BBC News reports.

Crocefisso Emanuello, head of a notorious Mafia family, died of natural causes at the age of 81. Though the family of the mob boss wanted to hold the requiem Mass in the cathedral of the Diocese of Piazza Amerina, Bishop Michele Pennisi refused.

..."Men of the Church must do their bit to fight the Mafia," said Bishop Pennisi, according to BBC News. - CNA (also includes video)

Organized crime is also still a big problem in Naples. When I was there in 2003 I stayed with an Italian priest who ran, among other things, an orphanage for children whose parents had been killed by the mafia. Incredible.