Priest arrested for sexual assault on a minor: "After the incident, he gave a blessing and asked for forgiveness."

A priest accused of sexual assault against a minor has been arrested in the province of Cosenza . According to the prosecution, the priest took advantage of his position and the sixteen-year-old's difficult family situation to establish an ambiguous relationship with him. The arrest was carried out by Carabinieri officers from the Reggio Calabria Company, executing a precautionary detention order issued by the Reggio Calabria investigating judge.

The priest is under investigation for incidents dating back to 2015-2016, which reportedly continued until 2020. The minor was 16 when the abuse began and eventually reached adulthood. The victim attended pastoral and community activities at the Reggio Calabria parish, organized by the priest who was reportedly arrested.

The relationship, according to the prosecution, began with flattery and attention, escalating into actual sexual assaults that allegedly occurred in secluded areas of the church. The man allegedly exploited his position and the boy's difficult situation to emotionally manipulate him, making him feel spiritually and morally tied to his "guardian father." The relationship allegedly included moments of liturgy, intimacy, and abuse.

The victim was unable to rebel, trapped in an emotional state of subjugation and fear, a fear that had paralyzed her, again due to the subordination consciously fostered by the priest. The man, for his part, would sometimes impart a blessing to the victim, asking for " forgiveness " immediately after engaging in sexual acts. The investigation found that, even after transferring to a parish in the province of Cosenza, the priest continued to engage in activities involving minors. Since his arrest, he has been in prison.

FROM

Web Editorial Staff