Bishops intervene in Italian election

by Desmond O'Grady in Rome ITALY'S Catholic bishops have aroused controversy by recommending unity in the Catholic vote at the national elections on June 14. The bishops' recommendations are seen as an implied invitation to Catholics to vote for the Christian Democrat party which is based on Catholic social principles. The major party in each Italian postwar government, the Christian Democrats always poll at least a third of the votes.
Early elections have been called because the five party coalition which governed Italy during the past four years disintegrated.
The bishops' statement managed to unite in indignation parties (except of course, the Christian Democrats) which are divided on everything else. With criticism coming from parties ranging from the Communists to the Neofascists MSI. The bishops issued an explanation that they were not recommending support for certain candidates, but for certain values.
And Christian Democrats such as Arnaldo Forlani, deputy Prime Minister in the SocialistChristian Democrat government, accused the critics of "anticlericalism". He said 'bigots are not to be found among Catholics but among those who want to gag the bishops.
A recent survey shoWed catholics are well represented in most Italian political parties. Just over 20 per cent are Socialists.