Italian town prohibits use of blasphemous phrases

Brignano Gera d’Adda (Italy), Feb 12 (IANS/AKI) The northern Italy town of Brignano Gera d’Adda has approved a measure that bans the use of blasphemous words and phrases from public and business premises.

The council, dominated by the conservative Northern League party, approved the measure forbidding curses including “God”, “Jesus”, and “Mary” in the town of 6,000 inhabitants in the Lombardy region.

“We live in a Catholic country and we would like that all places of worship and recreation are maintained with a certain respect and decorum,” Brignano Gera d’Adda mayor Valerio Moro said.

The council took on the issue following complaints by a local priest that he continuously overheard local youngsters take the name of God in vain.

The new rule is largely symbolic, carrying no punishment for violators.

–IANS/AKI