Angry Priest Burns A Photo Of Former Pope Benedict XVI Alleging That He 'Abandoned' The Church

Although millions of people around the globe cheered when Benedict XVI resigned from his position as the pope last week, one angry Catholic priest expressed his outrage over Benedict's decision to step down by burning his picture during Sunday mass.

Father Andrea Maggi set fire to a photo of the now Pope Emeritus using a candle in the middle of service on Sunday leaving the congregation in northern Italy's Castel Vittorio, Liguria in shock. He accused the former pope of deserting the church "like the Captain Calamity of the Concordia who had abandoned his ship."

The 67-year-old priest justified his actions by saying, "a shepherd shouldn't abandon his flock."

The Castel Vittorio mayor Gianstefano Orengo was called to constrain the errant priest said. 'It was a shocking gesture," said the mayor. "I understand that Don Andrea is going through a delicate period from a psychological point of view."

A local bishop said he was "mortified" by the "reprehensible and grave disturbance of ecclesial communion."

He said: 'I am mortified by the actions of Father Andrea, who in other respects has proved a priest who is generous and sensitive in his pastoral conduct. The gesture has caused confusion among the parishioners- many left the church," he said.

But Don Maggi continued to argue that "had done the right thing." He told La Repubblica: "I had said to myself the day that he goes I will burn this."

While other clergy claim honor the Pope's retirement as an act of humility and humanity, Don Maggi question his action stating, "Are you the Pope or are you Captain Schettino of the Concordia who abandoned his ship?"

'If eight years was enough of being Pope, he didn't need to accept it.," said Maggi.