Priest allegedly takes church gold to pay off debts

(ANSA) - Lago, September 21 - Father Giancarlo Gatto, the parish priest at the Madonna delle Grazie sanctuary in Lago, near Cosenza, allegedly took 30,000 euros worth of gold that was part of the depiction of Mary held by the sanctuary and sold it without ecclesiastical authorities' permission. Gatto said he sold the gold to try to pay off parish debt.
    Archbishop Mons. Francesco Nolè, alerted to the theft by some parishioners, has ordered an investigation and said Gatto needs to publicly apologise to the community.