R o m e – In a conversation with Italian Baptists, Fausto Bertinotti (Rome), President of the Italian National Assembly, has distanced himself from all forms of fundamentalism and any concept of a “war between the cultures”. According to him, the former Chairman and founder of the “Communist Refoundation” (Rifondazione Comunista) party, this is a joint challenge facing believers and atheists. President Bertinotti is the first holder of this third-highest state office to have received a delegation from the small free church numbering 4.700 members. Pastor Anna Maffei (Rome), President of the Baptist Union, called for renewed state efforts in the struggle against poverty. She appealed among other things for major debt relief in the poorest countries. Also required is a reform of Italian immigration and asylum policies, for present practices violate human rights. The pastor noted that Baptist congregations are experiencing foreigners positively. Around a third of Italy’s 105 Baptist congregations are actively integrating foreigners. They have proven to enrich congregational spiritual life. Maffei assured the politician that Baptists support policies which strengthen peace and justice.

The four-member delegation included a member of Italy’s Federation of Protestant Churches, the Waldesian writer Paolo Naso (Rome). He proposed the passing of new legislation on religion in Italy, which would make true religious freedom possible. Present legislation was passed by the Italian fascists in 1929 and regards small religious communities as illegal. Over 90% of Italy’s 57 million residents are Catholic; all Protestant churches combined total approximately 60.000 members.