Three people including a parish
priest were arrested Tuesday on charges of soliciting minors for
paid sex through a social network.
Don Antonio Calderaro from the church of San Giuseppe in
Rivello near Potenza in the southern Basilicata region was among
the three suspects placed under house arrest in connection with
the alleged child abuse.
A further five suspects were ordered to present themselves
to the judicial police.
The suspects live in various parts of the country,
prosecutors in Potenza said.
Investigations began in 2013 after the sister of one of the
victims reported concerns over appointments made by her younger
brother with people met on Internet.
Monsignor Francesco Nolè, bishop of the diocese of
Tursi-Lagonegro, immediately banned Don Antonio from celebrating
Mass and relieved him of all his priestly duties.
The bishop said he was "deeply surprised and pained" by the
news and that his "first thought asking forgiveness and offering
moral and spiritual support goes to the victim and his family".
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