ROME
National Catholic Register
by Jimmy Akin Saturday, June 29, 2013
This man is Patrizio Poggi, an ex-priest and convicted pedophile. When the Vatican refused to reinstate him to the priesthood, he tried to get various Roman priests and bishops in trouble with the law. What is the truth in this situation?
A few days ago, the Catholic blogosphere began buzzing with the sensational charge that a prostitution ring involving homosexual pedophiles had been discovered at the Vatican.
Is this true?
Or is it one more case of people running amok with rumors?
Here are 8 things you need to know . . .
1. What was initially reported?
The initial claim was that there was a former priest who applied to the Holy See to be reinstated to the priesthood, though he had been convicted of pedophilia and sent to prison.
When the Holy See refused to reinstate him, he got mad and began acting as a whistleblower on the existence of a prostitution ring involving pedophiles at the Vatican.
It was claimed that 10-20 members of the clergy were involved, possibly including 4 bishops.
Further, it was claimed that the procurer for the boy prostitution ring sold consecrated hosts to Satanists.
2. Who was the priest in question?
His name is Patrizio (Patrick) Poggi.
According to The Daily Mail:
Don Patrizio Poggi, 46, who served a five-year sentence for abusing five boys aged 14 to 15, at his parish outside Rome [St. Philip Neri]. . . .
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