The diocese of Bologna, which
has ordered Muslim-friendly pork-free tortellini for Friday's
feast of patron saint Petronius, on Tuesday said the row over
the case was "unacceptable".
The diocese has replaced pork, which Muslims do not eat for
religious reasons, with chicken in the famed Bolognese
speciality.
The curia said "fake news" had been generated on the case and
"a normal rule of welcome and respect towards guests has been
interpreted as an offence against tradition".
Nationalist leaders including League chief Matteo Salvini
have slammed the move saying Italy is forgetting its history and
identity.
Some Catholic church officials said the case was a gift to
Salvini and his anti-migrant rhetoric.
Salvini on Tuesday slammed moves to produce the pork-free
tortellini, linking it to Education Minister Lorenzo
Fioramonti's suggestion that crucifixes be removed from
classrooms.
"I'm reading that there are those who are asking for
tortellini without meat. It's like proposing wine without
grapes," he said.
"Oriana Fallaci was right. The problem is some Italians
forgetting their roots, denying our history, from tortellini to
the crucifix."
"Should I be the one defending faith and values? I'm a
sinner...", Salvini said on Facebook.
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