An Italian law professor who protested a sermon accusing the Jews of the death of Christ has appealed his conviction for interrupting a church service. Thirty-year-old Fabrizio Fabrini, who teaches law at the University of Florence, was given a two month suspended jail sentence for shouting, “Fool, you are preaching Nazi concepts” at the Rev. Riziero Trioni during a Palm Sunday service in 1968 at a Rome parish church.
Mr. Fabrini was arrested on charges brought by the rector of the church. He was acquitted in his first trial but the case was re-opened by the Rome District Attorney. A lower appeals court reversed the acquittal last Wednesday and gave him the suspended sentence.
Mr. Fabrini, a devout Roman Catholic, testified that he felt justified in interrupting the sermon on the ground that the Ecumenical Council (Vatican II), had nullified the ancient charge of deicide against the Jews. He said the Council had also urged lay Catholics to take a more active part in religious affairs and that he was attempting to hold a dialogue with the priest who “spoke a phrase that is not admissible by human or Catholic ethics.” Father Trioni had claimed that the Jews were punished through the ages for killing Christ. Mr. Fabrini said that after a further exchange of views the priest gave him communion. But by then the rector had summoned the police.
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