SANT’AGATA (ITALY)
International Business Times
December 1, 2017
By Jason Murdock
Father Pio Guidolin now stands accused of sexual assault on minors.
Italian law enforcement has arrested a Catholic priest working in the parish of the village of Sant’Agata who, for at least three years, is alleged to have raped several children under the age of 14.
Father Pio Guidolin now stands accused of sexual assault on minors. Local media reported that the carabinieri – military police – arrested the priest on Friday (1 December) following an investigation by the District Prosecutor’s Office in Catania, the second largest city of Sicily.
The priest allegedly exploited his role and took advantage of the “fragility of several youngsters” who were left disturbed by the incidents, read a notice released by the prosecutor of Catania.
Police believe the priest forced children to perform sexual acts. According to La Stampa, Guidolin would sprinkle victims with holy oil taken from his church.
He would reportedly conduct what he claimed were “purifying acts” to “soothe their inner sufferings.”
The police investigation discovered that after one child refused to submit to the priest he was isolated from the religious community.
Local media revealed that after some parents became highly suspicious of his actions he threatened and intimidated them by speaking about his knowledge and links to the mafia.
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