Catholic Priest Attacked for Hosting Refugees Quits Bulgaria

[TomSea]

Catholic Priest Attacked for Hosting Refugees Quits Bulgaria

The Catholic Church is withdrawing Fr Paolo Cortezi from the northern Bulgarian town of Belene after his decision to shelter a Syrian refugee family in his parish caused uproar.
Mariya Cheresheva  BIRN Sofia

A Catholic priest from the northern Bulgarian town of Belene has announced that he is going home to Italy after his decision to shelter a refugee family caused tensions.

In an emotional message on Facebook, Fr Paolo Cortezi explained that “his superiors” in the Church had withdrawn him from the parish, following days of tensions with the local community who objected to decision to host a Syrian refugee family on Monday.

“Now I am a refugee, too. I am leaving Bulgaria with my head up, proud, innocent,” he wrote on Friday.
- See more at: http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/catholic-priest-leaves-bulgaria-over-threats-for-sheltering-refugees-03-10-2017#sthash.KVvgq39p.dpuf