A bishop who made headlines for his statements against immigration, civil unions and homosexuality, has retired with a parting shot - a last sermon in which he accuses fellow bishops of "showing too little courage in defending the Christian way of life." After 18 years at the helm of the diocese of the northern Italian city of Como, Alessandro Maggiolini reiterated in a sermon quoted by the Italian media on Tuesday that "Christians are known for their faith and not for dialogue," while denying once again that he sympathises with the anti-immigration Northern League Party, whose stronghold is in this area.Maggiolini, who will be replaced as of 28 January by Diego Coletti, has made headlines for saying that non-practising Italian Catholics "will end up being like niggers or indios to be converted," that granting legal rights to civil unions, a reform being discussed in Italy, is a "prelude to marriage between men and horses," that homosexuality "can be cured" and that "the doors of the nation cannot be opened" to immigrants.
The bishop is retiring at 76 due to poor health.