Bishop Ascoli resigns, 'I go to the monastery'

(ANSA) - ASCOLI PICENO, 29 OCT - The bishop of Ascoli Piceno Giovanni D'Ercole resigns and goes to a monastery.

He announced it himself in a video on the diocese's social channels.

D'Ercol defines his resignation, which must be accepted by the pope, "a difficult choice, painful but profoundly free, inspired by the service of the Church and not by my personal interest".

"In a difficult moment like this - he adds - where confusion reigns in our society, where there is so much fear, I believe, I deeply feel the need to devote myself to prayer. I enter a monastery - he announces - where I will be able to accompany the journey of the Church in a more intensely, in meditation, contemplation and silence. When I have gone through this period in the monastery - continued -, then I will open myself to all the perspectives that the Lord will want to give me. I feel that in this moment God is calling me to take a step so that I can this way".

    D'Ercole thanks "all those who loved me and who continue to love me. I renew all my esteem, all my affection and above all - he underlines - be certain, I will not abandon anyone but I will be even closer to the diocese, to each of you with my prayers, because in this momentosento deeply that only God can be the speranzaaffidabile on which to base our every step towards a future chequalche time is very uncertain but in the light of God saràsicuramente marked by his victory, the victory of Christ.

   please therefore - concludes the bishop - to consider this my resignation as an act of faith and a greater sign of love for all ".

(HANDLE).