Video of Catholic Priests Partying at a Gay Club Has the Church Troubled, by Jeff Neumann, The Gawker, July 24, 2010

Video of Catholic Priests Partying at a Gay Club Has the Church 'Troubled'

By Jeff Neumann
The Gawker
July 24, 2010

[with video]

http://gawker.com/5595501/catholic-priests-filmed-at-gay-nightclub-church-upset

Using a hidden camera, an Italian magazine owned by Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi caught three Catholic priests inside a gay nightclub and having sex inside a church building. The local diocese is now calling on gay priests to come out.

The Italian-language magazine, Panorama, is running a cover story this week called "Gay Priests' Nights on the Town," which has caused a firestorm in Italy and, not surprisingly, infuriated Roman Catholic officials. The diocese is now calling on priests who are gay to step forward and "reveal themselves."

"Those who live a 'double life', who do not understand what it is to be a Catholic priest, should not become priests," the diocese said in a statement. The church also said it would pursue "with rigour any behaviour that is unworthy of the priestly life," and "consistency demands that they reveal themselves. We don't wish them any harm, but we cannot accept that the honour of all the others is dragged through the mud because of their behaviour."

On a less censorious note—and as you can see from the video below—it seems the gay club scene in Rome is pretty happening! You know, just in case you're planning a gay European vacation in the near future.

Contact: at jeff@gawker.com