Pope Benedict XVI Photo Burnt – Church Launches Probe
Church chiefs have launched an investigation after
an Italian priest
set
fire to a photograph of former
Pope
Benedict XVI in front of dozens of stunned
worshipers.
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 has 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.