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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.

Father Andrea has been a priest for more than 40 years.

The angry priest said: "shepherd never leave his flock, 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.

Meanwhile, Bishop Alberto Maria Careggio, of the diocese, has condemned the act, saying that it is an abominable action.

http://gistmetro..com/2013/03/angry-rev-father-burns-benedicts-photo.html