ROME — The clergy sexual abuse scandal is slowly gathering steam in Italy with increasing media coverage, criminal convictions and the launch Monday of an investigative podcast dedicated to a case that tangentially involved Pope Francis.
A Sicilian court last week convicted a priest of sexual violence and attempted sexual violence against three minors and sentenced him to four and a half years in prison. It also held his diocese, Piazza Armerina in Sicily, liable for separate civil damages and legal fees, a significant ruling given the influence the Catholic Church wields in all aspects of Italian society, particularly in small-town Sicily.
Piazza Armeria Bishop Rosario Gisana was recorded admitting to having covered up for the priest, the Rev. Giuseppe Rugolo. He was recorded saying he had covered up for another priest who did far worse and describing Rugolo’s actions as mere “stupidities” of a young man.
Victim Antonio Messina told his story at the launch Monday of the podcast about his case, saying it was his duty to speak out after he said he was “betrayed” by his church.
“After the violence and abuse I suffered, there was another abuse that I received from the bishop of the diocese of not being believed,” Messina said. “If this can open the doors (to others coming forward) … then bring it on.”
Italian investigative journalists Stefano Feltri, Giorgio Meletti and Federica Tourn launched the seven-episode podcast, using recordings that emerged during the closed-door trial. In one, recounted by Tourn, the bishop seemingly boasted about having Francis’ support because he had done Francis a favor.
Francis, who visited Gisana’s diocese during a 2018 day trip to Sicily, clearly is fond of the bishop. He said so publicly on the eve of prosecutors’ scheduled final arguments.
“This bishop is great. He was persecuted, calumnied but he’s been firm, always correct, a correct man,” Francis said Nov. 6 during a Vatican audience with Gisana and…
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