BY JOEL LANDAU
A 72-year-old monk in Austria has been suspended from all religious duties after he confessed to paying a 12-year-old boy for sex while under the heavy influence of alcohol, his monastery reported.
P. Pius Hellmair was arrested Wednesday for allegedly paying two people for sex, including a minor in the city of Linz. The monk was “under the heavy influence of alcohol” and deeply regrets the incident, The Lambach Abbey confirmed on its website.
The underage victim is reportedly a 12-year-old boy, according to the newspaper The Local.
The monastery said it wanted to set the record straight and clear up numerous rumors regarding the clergy member’s recent absence.
Hellmair, who according to the church confessed to the crime, has been suspended from any of his religious duties. After an investigation the Vatican will determine if he will remain with the church.
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