An Italian priest was arrested
in Catania Friday on suspicion of aggravated sexual violence on
minors. Father Pio Guidolin was taken into custody by
Carabinieri.
A probe has allegedly established that in 2014 he exploited
the vulnerability of boys under the age of 14 who had been
disturbed by family issues and forced them to submit to and
commit acts of a sexual nature, police said.
Father Guidolin allegedly covered his victims in holy oil
taken from his church and said that the sexual acts they were
taking part in were acts of purification capable of easing their
inner suffering, police said.
One of the minors who rebelled against the priest was
isolated and accused of trying to defame the priest, police
said.
Father Guidolin also allegedly threatened the boys who wanted
to report the cases that the local Cosa Nostra would step in and
stop them.
One of the victims' parents was placed under investigation
for tipping off the priest to the investigation.
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