Posted on 10/10/2007 8:57:16 AM PDT by NYer
|
ROME -- A priest who openly professed his love for a parishioner has been defrocked by the Italian Church despite an overwhelming show of support from his congregation, press reports said Tuesday. Padua Bishop Antonio Mattiazzo issued a decree on Monday forbidding Don Sante Sguotti to hear confession in Monterosso, near the northern city of Padua, and replaced him with another priest. But the daily La Repubblica reported that "only four faithful, all elderly women, attended mass celebrated by the new priest Monday evening, a sign of Monterosso's solidarity with the rebel priest." Young people in the town have even had T-shirts made with the inscription "We are all children of Don Sante," alluding to a rumour that the priest had a child with the parishioner, who is reportedly separated from her husband. "I don't know yet what I'll do," Sguotti told La Repubblica. "As always, it's a decision that I will take with the help of my brothers and sisters of Monterosso." The affair has shaken up the church community since the middle of the year, when Sguotti held a "referendum" asking parishioners their opinion, the daily La Stampa reported. Only 16 of the 200 people who responded wanted Sguotti to leave, the report said. |
Typical news report - taking poll numbers!
Several years ago, the Diocese of Albany defrocked a priest who had a sex change operation. His congregation loved him and disagreed with the bishop.
That would be really funny if it weren't so sad!
“Several years ago, the Diocese of Albany defrocked a priest who had a sex change operation. His congregation loved him and disagreed with the bishop.”
Well, you can fool all the people some of the time...
I’m almost surprised that the Diocese of Albany had the guts to boot the guy ... I’m not at all surprised that the situation arose in the Diocese of Albany.
Sguotti seems to be labouring under the delusion that the Church is a democracy ...
It's a shock, I agree. Here is the full story, in case you are interested.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.