World IN BRIEF : HAITI : Aristide Says Rome Pushed Him to Quit

Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, in his letter resigning from the priesthood, told leaders of the Catholic Church that he was quitting because he was asked to leave by members of the church hierarchy. “You have asked me to leave the priesthood for the growth of harmonious relations,” Aristide told Haiti’s senior bishop in his resignation letter. “I have decided, excellence, to agree to your request.” The letter confirms reports by Aristide allies that he resigned because of pressure from the Holy See and its representatives in Haiti. Vatican sources denied that pressure had prompted Aristide’s decision.