Catholic priest accused of organising orgies in rectory and pimping out 15 women
Italian 48-year-old allegedly hid pornographic home videos in covers bearing the names of popes
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.An Italian priest is being investigated for allegedly organising orgies in his rectory and pimping out up to 15 lovers.
Catholic Father Andrea Contin, a parish priest in the northern city of Padua in Veneto, is under police investigation on suspicion of living off immoral earnings and psychological violence.
A variety of sex toys and videos, purportedly showing orgies taking place on the San Lazzaro church premises, have been seized after complaints from three female parishioners.
The 48-year-old also allegedly concealed pornographic home videos in covers bearing the names of various popes.
He is accused of farming out some of his lovers to men on wife-swapping websites, according to The Times.
The priest also allegedly took his female friends for stays at a naturist and swingers resort in Cap d’Agde on the southern French coast.
Complaints were reportedly first made to the local bishop last summer but church authorities did not police, saying they had not yet completed their own investigation.
One 49-year-old church volunteer, who says she had an affair with Father Contin and had sex with him in the rectory, told Il Mattino di Padova: “There were a lot of women hovering around him. I didn’t understand that at first, only later.”
The same news website reported that Father Contin was on holiday in Croatia, where his family visit yearly.
It quoted city mayor Paolo Tonin as saying: “They are also trying to protect him from the clamour of this story that has now gone national.”
Father Contin has not been arrested but a prosecutor was investigating the allegations.
The Independent has contacted police in Veneto for comment.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments