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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