Island Priest Backs Pope's Decision to Resign
A Roman Catholic priest on Martha's Vineyard says he understands why Pope Benedict XVI has decided to step down.
Visiting priest Father Brian Harrington didn't have to break the news to the small group of Roman Catholics who joined him for 8 a.m. Mass at the Good Shepherd Parish Center Chapel in Oak Bluffs Monday. Like Harrington, the congregation's members had already learned from television that Pope Benedict XVI is resigning at the end of the month — the first pope in nearly 600 years to step down from what is considered a lifelong post. "As a church, we feel bad because we're losing a person who is a great scholar and a holy man," Harrington told Patch after Mass. "The (Roman Catholic) Church will go through a process of prayer and discussion, and ask for the guidance of the Holy Spirit" in choosing a successor, he continued. Speaking for himself…
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