Rebel Italian Catholic priest s fans try to stop his removal

Palermo (Italy) April 11 (IANS/AKI) Supporters of a conservative Sicilian priest who called the Catholic Church false and a prostitute will meet Palermo s Archbishop Corrado Lorefice to try and prevent his dismissal.

In a recent letter Lorefice ordered Alessandro Minutella to leave Palermo s San Giovanni Bosco parish by Friday for a period of rest following a series of inflammatory attacks Minutella made against the Catholic Church under Pope Francis who he views as overly progressive.

In response to Lorefice s letter Minutella on March 31 streamed live on social media a mass in he celebrated in his parish church.

To this Church which does not want me I say: farewell false Church the pointless edifices will remain farewell shameful multinational unworthy prostitute who has sold herself to the world s powerful Minutella stated during the mass cited by local daily Il Giornale della Sicila.

Minutella earlier this month complained he was being treated like a mafia boss and vowed he would continue to preach if necessary in cellars - even if I am defrocked.

Parishioners who support Minutella on Monday demonstrated outside Palermo Cathedral touting banners asking for the priest to keep his job.

--IANS/AKI
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