Pope to Investigate Scandal-ridden Italy Diocese

Press TV
October 24, 2014

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2014/10/24/383398/pope-to-probe-scandalhit-italy-diocese/

[with video]

The Catholic Church has been hit with another sex scandal as a special envoy to Pope Francis is to investigate an Italian diocese for alleged sexual harassment of parishioners and involvement in pornography.

Pope Francis is set to send the envoy to the northern city of Albenga in the region of Liguria to assess the allegations that the diocese has hosted a group of “playboy priests.”

The priests in the diocese are accused of sexually harassing parishioners, posting naked photos of themselves online and raiding church coffers as well as moonlighting as barmen and stealing parish funds.

In addition, a priest working for the diocese has been found guilty of organizing an underage prostitution ring.

The Albenga diocese has been run for the last 25 years by Bishop Mario Oliveri, aged 70, and has been described by Italian media as “the most gossiped about diocese in Italy.” According to local media, Oliveri is expected to be replaced by an auxiliary bishop.

Over the past few years, the Roman Catholic Church has been facing numerous scandals of child sexual abuse by priests, mainly in the United States and Europe.

More than 4,000 priests in the US have reportedly faced sexual abuse allegations since the 1950s in cases involving more than 10,000 children.

Pope Francis has warned that there will be “no privileges” for bishops when it comes to child sex offenders. The pontiff also promised more action in response to accusations of cover-ups and excessive leniency by the Vatican.