Clash over the Easter precept in Altavilla Milicia, the municipality in the Palermo area where the family massacre occurred with a woman and her two children killed during an "exorcism".
The comprehensive school did not give the students the opportunity to participate in the celebration in the church in view of Easter and the parish priest Salvatore Priola of the sanctuary of the Madonna della Milicia during the homily reiterated that he would still celebrate the holy mass even if alone.
"Given that the school has chosen not to participate in the annual and traditional celebration of the Easter precept - said the parish priest - the parish community and I will still celebrate the Holy Mass for the school community. Those who wish will be able to participate today at 10.30. I will also celebrate mass if I'm alone."
The parish priest's appeal did not fall on deaf ears and the mothers did not take their children to school this morning and accompanied them to church.
"It is Altavilla Milicia's response to what happened in Pioltello - says the parent of a student - the Easter precept has always been done. The pupils of the comprehensive institute, which is also named after Monsignor Melchiorre Gagliano, participate in the Easter precept mass".
According to the school director, Giuseppe Polizzi, the responsibility lies with the school council: "I am secular and I believe that the school should be secular. But despite everything, I do not decide alone whether the students do not participate in the Easter precept. The school council's resolution was missing which authorizes the participation of students in any activity.
The request to convene the school council arrived only on the afternoon of March 25, there was no time to convene it and consequently decide. Without this provision the director has no decision-making powers. I am regent of the Altavilla comprehensive institute for two years and a similar situation has never occurred, precisely because every educational trip was scheduled at the right times. Just as happened at Christmas".
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