A priest who heads a parish
charity in the city of Trapani on Sicily's west coast was
arrested Tuesday on allegations of sexual abuse, possibly
including migrants newly arrived in Italy.
Police arrested Sergio Librizzi at his home in the rectory
of the parish of San Pietro in Trapani, and searched the
residence as well as seizing computers.
Librizzi has been involved in settling migrants, who have
landed in Sicily and other parts of southern Italy on rickety
boats after fleeing north Africa and the Middle East.
The indictment alleged that Librizzi sought sexual favours
from some of these migrant males seeking status as political
refugees, as well as from disadvantaged people seeking help from
the church charity.
He also faces allegations of bribery and fraud in handling
charitable funds.
At least eight victims were likely involved in the
incidents that reportedly began in 2009 and continued until this
week, prosecutors said.
Investigators said they bugged an automobile where the
alleged sexual abuses occurred to gather evidence.
Prosecutor Paolo Di Sciuva said that the priest was "highly
influential".
In a statement, the office of the bishop of Trapani said
that he is waiting for the judicial process to take its course,
expressing "sorrow and bitterness" over the case.
"We ask the ecclesial community to intensify their prayers,
conscious of the words of the Gospel that only the truth makes
us free," said the statement.
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