Vatican hit by gay sex scandal

Guardian ^ | March 4th 2010 | John Hooper in Romei

[Cardhu]

Vatican chorister sacked for allegedly procuring male prostitutes for papal gentleman-in-waiting.

The Vatican was today rocked by a sex scandal reaching into Pope Benedict's household after a chorister was sacked for allegedly procuring male prostitutes for a papal gentleman-in-waiting.

Angelo Balducci, a Gentleman of His Holiness, was caught by police on a wiretap allegedly negotiating with Thomas Chinedu Ehiem, a 29-year-old Vatican chorister, over the specific physical details of men he wanted brought to him. Transcripts in the possession of the Guardian suggest that numerous men may have been procured for Balducci, at least one of whom was studying for the priesthood.

The explosive claims about Balducci's private life have caused grave embarrassment to the Vatican, which has yet to publicly comment on the affair.

While Catholicism does not condemn homosexuality outright, its teaching is that homosexual acts "are intrinsically disordered". The Catechism of the Catholic church states unequivocally: "Under no circumstances can they be approved."

Balducci was arrested on 10 February, suspected of involvement in widespread corruption. A senior Italian government official, he is alleged to have to steered public works contracts towards favoured bidders. He has not been charged.

[the_conscience]

Reads like the Butler was calling in the Choir.

[kailbo]

Entering the priesthood is an ideal cover for a homosexual man who does not want to come out of the closet, does not want to be questioned about not being married, and wants to hold a very respected position. Having a position of authority and very good access to young boys is an added bonus.

Unfortunately, because priests are not allowed to marry, this closes the door to most normal men who might otherwise want to serve. This puts the catholic church in the position of being somewhat desperate, and therefore less discriminating.

Allow priests to marry and the problem would be greatly alleviated. I would think the priesthood is a very attractive position for a homosexual.

---

Excellent post!

[kailbo]

source?
I don’t have a source myself, but I believe, percentage-wise, you are wrong.

[johniegrad]

However, you posted nothing from the Catholic church saying that sodomy was a sin, if done.

You can't be serious.

The posting was very clear.

Look, EVERYONE is called to chastity. Chastity means sexual relations between a man and a woman who are married is licit.

Sexual relations between anyone else would not be chaste and would, therefore, be a serious sin.

This includes an unmarried woman with an unmarried man, a married woman with an unmarried man, a married man with an unmarried woman, a married man with a married woman if they were not married to each other, a woman with a woman, a man with a man, a woman with a child, a man with a child, a woman with a beast, a man with a beast, a woman with herself, a man with himself, and you with your computer screen.

Jeesh, could the excerpt from the catechism be any more clear?

[kailbo]

source?
Catholic Dogma?

[Ransomed]

If the valuable discipline of celibacy is relaxed, it would involve allowing married men to become priests, never allowing “priests to marry” after they have been ordained. None of the apostolic Churches have ever allowed priests to marry, to my understanding.

Freegards

[johniegrad]

Having read further in the thread, I found that things were explained to you by people more patient than me in an effective way.

My apologies if my post appeared harsh.

[big'ol_freeper]

RE: My sense is that enemies target with infiltration and embarrassment those groups that oppose them. Their hope is to: (1) be elevated to important positions from which they can change the policies of the organization, or (2) injure the organization.

I believe that is a true statement. In a war, in this case for souls, it is a logical strategy.

[RnMomof7]

What is a “papal gentleman” as this man is described?

[Republic of Texas]

The reason Priests cannot marry is a real estate deal stemming from the Middle Ages. The Catholic Church would do well to end that charade.

[RnMomof7]

The ones I have heard of ended up having the women leave their husband, or the convent and the priest leave the ministry so they could marry

[RnMomof7]

In January this year, the Carabinieri recorded an exchange in which Balducci and Ehiem discuss a seminarian, or student for the priesthood. Balducci is said to have asked: "Listen, have you spoken with the seminarian by any chance?" Ehiem says he is "probably at mass or something". On 11 January, Ehiem calls again to recommend "a colleague, a friend" of the seminarian because the latter is unavailable. He says the colleague is "better, taller, a bit taller than you". Later, Ehiem asks: "Can I send [him] around straight away?"

This is what brings it home and makes it relevant, once again it is a seminary..and not an American seminary (which was how fingers were pointed in the past) as this being an "american problem"...Rome knows about the infiltration of gays into the priesthood.. and chooses to look the other way

[Cardhu]

What is a “papal gentleman” as this man is described?

"Since 1995, he has been a member of one of the world’s most exclusive fraternities – the Gentlemen of His Holiness, or Papal Gentlemen, the ceremonial ushers of the papal household. In the words of a 1968 ordinance, they are expected to “distinguish themselves for the good of souls and the glory of the name of the Lord”."

[Cardhu]

Of course what is being complained about is that this has nothing at all to do with what the Carabinieri are investigating. All this scandal is just being leaked to help blacken his name, unless, of course, his position of awarding contracts also had a sexual favors element.

[HarleyD]

As it eventually explains, Balducci is an official of the Italian government, not the Vatican. (IOW, he's not a priest, not the Pope's right hand man, doesn't tuck him in at night, etc., etc., etc.)

From the article:

Balducci is also a senior adviser to the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples, the department that oversees the Roman Catholic church's worldwide missionary activities.

Sounds to me that he's more than an Italian government official.

[Iscool]

I don't think the "Vatican chorister" is a priest, either. He's a singer.

A chorister is usually a 'boy' singer...

[Dr. Eckleburg]

The Catholic Church was infiltrated by homosexuals and pedophiles centuries ago. They are trying to keep a lid on it but one of the greatest scandals in human history is about to see the light of day.

Your lips to God's ear. The sooner the better.

[A CA Guy]

The Bible called it an Abomination. I learned that in Catholic school as a kid and I don't get how supposedly the Church isn't specifically against homosexuality.

Meanwhile, get rid of the weirdos within the Church. The Church never asked for homosexual predators to come join as Priests or in other positions.

[Quix]

MUCH AGREE.

THX for the prayers on the teeth . . .

many Dremelling sessions at the dentist.

Leaving them out more than using them still. Sigh. Just not in to painful chewing! Getting to be more comfortable.

Another Dremelling session on Monday . . .

Still need to schedule extraction of the uppers.

[Gamecock]

***So what’s your explanation for public schools, where far more sexual abuse of kids takes place?***

Nice back alley attepmt to deflect attention from what is happening in the Roman Catholic church.

(I’ve come to expect that from FRoman Catholics.)