Italian Priest Burns Benedict Photo Saying “He Left His Flock”

In the name of what he considers the true orthodox, Don Andrea Maggi, a priest known to his parishioners to be “very severe” deemed it appropriate to express what he thinks of the decision of Pope Ratzinger to resign — he burned the Pope’s photograph.

“I do it”, he said “because he was not pope, he left.” Even the Curia said she was terrified of the episode, calling it “extreme.” The pastor of Castel Vittorio, a small medieval village of 350 inhabitants of the Val Nervia, in the hinterland of Ventimiglia, was surprised when during the homily and in front of dozens of faithful, including many children, Maggi showed a photo of Pope Benedict XVI and, without any hesitation, he set it on fire. He did explain to his parishioners who were in disbelief that he did it because “a shepherd never leaves his flock.”

Don Andrea Maggi, 67 years old and 5 years pastor of Castel Vittorio, is a priest from the province of Lecco. Some Castel Vittorio portray him as “ultra-Orthodox”, others think of him as “a little depressed.”

The mayor of Castel Vittorio, Gianstefano Orengo, an eyewitness to the incident, said “It was a shocking gesture committed before a dozen children. I understand that Don Andrea is going through a delicate period… But it is a very serious gesture. ”