Aspiring priest kills himself
'Not mature enough', Vatican said
01 December, 16:48
(ANSA) - Orvieto, December 1 - An aspiring priest has killed
himself after the Vatican cancelled his ordination, his bishop
said Wednesday.Luca Seidita, 29, threw himself from a rocky outcrop in this central Italian hilltown Tuesday, shortly after learning that the Holy See had decided not to elevate him from his position as deacon.
Local media reported there had been "murmurings" he might be gay but Orvieto Bishop Giovanni Scanavino ruled this out.
"There were only some issues about friends of his," Msgr Scanavino said.
"For me, he was ready to be a priest, but the Vatican said he wasn't mature enough," the prelate said.
Police said Seidita left a note saying he was taking his own life because of the Vatican decision.
"I wanted to become a priest and all my life was devoted to that," he wrote.
"I am fragile and I ask for forgiveness," Seidita added.
Bishop Scanavino said Seidita's receiving a fax on Monday cancelling the ordination had been "an absolute drama" for the young man from Lecce in Puglia.
The bishop quoted Deacon Seidita as saying, "over and over again": "What have I done, tell me what I've done".
photo: website photo saying 'Luca Is Becoming A Priest'
