Rock Music Plays Role in Nun's Murder in Italy
A ZENIT DAILY DISPATCH
ROCK MUSIC PLAYS ROLE IN NUN’S MURDER IN ITALY
Music of Satanic Content Can End in Violence
ROME, 11 JULY 2000 (ZENIT).
On June 6, three teenagers between the age of 16 and 17 years stabbed Sister Mary Laura 19 times in Chiavenna, a small town in the Italian province of Como. The murder of this nun, who was committed to the care of disturbed youths, has caused an enormous impression, because of the absence of a specific motive and the age of the murderers.
A disturbing factor has emerged from the investigation. The diaries of the girls who killed the religious were filled with Satanic symbols and pictures of rock star Marilyn Manson, who has described himself as the "great adorer of Satan." The two youths who carried out the shooting spree at Columbine High School in Colorado were also inspired by Marilyn Manson. The current murder was thought out and organized in the context of a cultural climate that points to the Catholic Church as the worst threat to Satan’s kingdom.
The Chiavenna tragedy has once again highlighted the question of the effects of a certain type of rock music, which impels youth to violence. In an interview on Vatican Radio, Carlo Climati, music expert and author of the work, "Inquiry on Satanic Rock," explained, "On its own, the negative message given in a recording cannot force one to violence or murder but at times it could be a seed sown in the fertile ground of juvenile unrest. In essence, we can say that a dangerous cocktail of nihilist rock and human problems can produce devastating effects in the minds of youths who are in crisis, or psychologically disturbed."
In addition, Climati said that "by just listening to a CD, any 15 or 17-year-old girl can come into contact with the esoteric world. The record houses have discovered that the devil can be good business, and they continue to put a certain kind of product on the market, without worrying about the consequences."
"Flash," an Italian magazines recently published an article, at the suggestion of the U.S.-based Church of Satan, describing that "church" as "the most serious and trustworthy association that lovers and cultivators of occult theories can consult." The article ends with an invitation to the readers: "If you think that knowledge of Satanism can help you, and if you want to be part of the great gymnasium of thought of Satanic philosophy, the Church of Satan awaits you."
Some youths who have fallen into the trap of Satanism have admitted that the music has played an important role in their attraction to certain doctrines. The most well known case is that of a youth from La Spezia, who in 1996 made "nocturnal visits" to cemeteries, profaning graves and stealing skulls and bones. Today this boy, who has repented of his acts, said: "I am very sorry for what I have done. I allowed myself to be seduced by heavy metal music, which I followed for more than 10 years. In particular, the texts of some Norwegian and Swedish groups, among whom are Mayhem, Darkthrone, and Marduk, conditioned me to such a degree that I repeated what they said in their songs like a robot. The music that I listened to, up to 10 hours a day, had such a hold on me that I did not realize the gravity of my actions."
Similar incidents have been seen in Norway where some young members of rock groups have organized terrorist attacks on Catholic churches. One of these, "Count Grishnackh," was condemned to 21 years in prison for the murder of another musician and for burning a religious building. Interviewed in prison by "Flash" magazine, he publicly declared his intention to arm the people and force them against the Church. "The end of Christianity has begun," Count Grishnackh said.
In the case of the Chiavenna murder, the girls have testified that while they stabbed the nun, Sister Mary Laura was kneeling with her hands folded together, praying for them, and saying "Lord, forgive them." These were Sister Mary Laura’s last words before dying.
The Sister’s charity is impressive, especially considering the information she had shared with Fr. Ambrogio Balatti, the parish priest of Chiavenna, before her death. The priest said that "lately, Sister Mary Laura confided in me her desire to give everything. She understood that many times we give ourselves to others, but we always keep something back for ourselves. She then said that only in martyrdom do we succeed in giving everything, even our own lives. Today I read her intuitions as a premonition. They were the Lord’s call, so that she would be prepared for any eventuality." ZE00071104
This article has been selected from the ZENIT Daily Dispatch
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