•Says
a shepherd never leaves his flock
a shepherd never leaves his flock
Church chiefs in Italy have launched an investigation after an
Italian priest set fire to a photograph of former Pope Benedict XVI in front of
dozens of stunned worshippers. Father Andrea Maggi, 67, ignited the picture
during a sermon, saying that Benedict had “abandoned” the Catholic Church.
Italian priest set fire to a photograph of former Pope Benedict XVI in front of
dozens of stunned worshippers. Father Andrea Maggi, 67, ignited the picture
during a sermon, saying that Benedict had “abandoned” the Catholic Church.
He then went on to compare him, to Costa Concordia captain
Francesco Schettino, who was been accused of fleeing his post and leaving
passengers on the stranded cruise ship. Father Andrea, a priest for more than
40 years, told the packed service at Santo Stefano church in Castelvittorio
near Imperia: “I’m doing this because he has not been a Pope, he has abandoned
us.
Francesco Schettino, who was been accused of fleeing his post and leaving
passengers on the stranded cruise ship. Father Andrea, a priest for more than
40 years, told the packed service at Santo Stefano church in Castelvittorio
near Imperia: “I’m doing this because he has not been a Pope, he has abandoned
us.
A shepherd never leaves his flock.” Parishioners including
children, looked on amazed as the picture of Benedict, who resigned last week
after eight years as Pontiff was enveloped in flames before the priest let it
drop to the ground and burn itself out.
children, looked on amazed as the picture of Benedict, who resigned last week
after eight years as Pontiff was enveloped in flames before the priest let it
drop to the ground and burn itself out.
Father Andrea is unrepentant, and said: “I’d said that I would
burn his picture the day he left and that’s what I did. I’m glad what I did has
caused such an outcry. I don’t have maize in my head. We are not in a communist
state. “I’m not interested in his reasons for leaving. The job of Pope is for
life. He should not have left. He’s behaved just like (Francesco) Schettino.
Where is the proof of his faith? “The Pope said this was the year of faith and
he then leaves his post as head of the church.”
burn his picture the day he left and that’s what I did. I’m glad what I did has
caused such an outcry. I don’t have maize in my head. We are not in a communist
state. “I’m not interested in his reasons for leaving. The job of Pope is for
life. He should not have left. He’s behaved just like (Francesco) Schettino.
Where is the proof of his faith? “The Pope said this was the year of faith and
he then leaves his post as head of the church.”
Bishop Alberto Maria Careggio, of the diocese, said: “This was
an abominable action. I’m mortified by the actions of Father Andrea who in the
past has always been a very generous and sensible priest. I’m arranging a
meeting with him as soon as possible.”
an abominable action. I’m mortified by the actions of Father Andrea who in the
past has always been a very generous and sensible priest. I’m arranging a
meeting with him as soon as possible.”
Benedict said he made the shock decision, the first time a Pope
has resigned in 600 years because he “felt tired”. However by stepping down he
has angered many Catholics and some senior Church chiefs as the job is for
life. Locals in his parish, which nestles in a picturesque medieval hilltop
village, have described him as “very strict and ultra orthodox”.
has resigned in 600 years because he “felt tired”. However by stepping down he
has angered many Catholics and some senior Church chiefs as the job is for
life. Locals in his parish, which nestles in a picturesque medieval hilltop
village, have described him as “very strict and ultra orthodox”.
Before the incident Father Maggi, who has been a priest there
for five years, had been complaining bitterly about Benedict’s decision.
Gianstefano Orengo, mayor of Castel Vittorio, who witnessed the incident, said:
“Certainly everyone knew Father Andrea was upset and angry at Benedict’s
announcement. “It was a shocking thing to see. I know it may be a difficult
time for him but it was still a serious thing to do.”
for five years, had been complaining bitterly about Benedict’s decision.
Gianstefano Orengo, mayor of Castel Vittorio, who witnessed the incident, said:
“Certainly everyone knew Father Andrea was upset and angry at Benedict’s
announcement. “It was a shocking thing to see. I know it may be a difficult
time for him but it was still a serious thing to do.”
He pulled out a picture of the Pope and then used a nearby
candle to ignite it as he started his sermon. “It lasted a minute or so and he
then said Benedict had acted in a similar fashion to (Francesco) Schettino who
left his post when the Costa Concordia struck rocks and with passengers still
needed to be saved. People were shocked and started complaining and several
including myself left the service.
candle to ignite it as he started his sermon. “It lasted a minute or so and he
then said Benedict had acted in a similar fashion to (Francesco) Schettino who
left his post when the Costa Concordia struck rocks and with passengers still
needed to be saved. People were shocked and started complaining and several
including myself left the service.
There was no justification at all for it even if there are
mitigating circumstances. “People were shocked and started complaining and
several including myself left the service. There was no justification at all
for it even if there are mitigating circumstances.” Meanwhile cardinals in Rome
have begun their discussions ahead of setting a date for the start of the
conclave which will elect the next Pope, with the selection process expected to
begin in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel next week.
mitigating circumstances. “People were shocked and started complaining and
several including myself left the service. There was no justification at all
for it even if there are mitigating circumstances.” Meanwhile cardinals in Rome
have begun their discussions ahead of setting a date for the start of the
conclave which will elect the next Pope, with the selection process expected to
begin in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel next week.
Source: Sun
