ITALY
Irish Times
Paddy Agnew
A 75-year-old Italian priest, Don Gino Flaim, has been suspended from his functions at the San Pio X church in Trent, northern Italy, after he made comments in which he appeared to “justify” paedophilia.
Speaking to Italian current affairs TV programme, “The Way The Wind Is Blowing”, Don Gino said: “I can understand paedophilia. Homosexuality, I don’t know, I think it’s a sickness. I have worked a lot with schools and I know children.
“Unfortunately, there are children who seek out affection because they do not receive it at home. And maybe if they come across some priest, well maybe he will yield (to temptation). I understand this … It doesn’t surprise me that these type of cases exist because the Church is a community of sinners”.
Don Gino’s words prompted an immediate series of protests from local politicians.
Archbishop of Trent, Luigi Bressan, intervened both to disassociate the archdiocese from Don Gino’s comments and to suspend him from his role of “pastoral collaborator”.
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