A 69-year-old priest from the Italian diocese of Ugento-Santa Maria di Leuca has been placed under house arrest, accused of allegedly abusing a minor on several occasions inside his parish. The incidents under investigation are said to have taken place between November and May and, according to the prosecution, occurred during confessions and spiritual direction meetings.
According to the Italian newspaper Il Giornale, the precautionary measure was ordered by the investigating judge of Lecce, Francesco Valente, at the request of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, which is investigating three alleged episodes that reportedly occurred inside the church where the priest served.
The judicial ruling also includes the obligation to wear an electronic monitoring device while the investigations continue.
The complaint came from the minor’s mother
The investigation began after a complaint filed by the mother of the alleged victim.
According to reports published in Italy, the minor reportedly told his mother about a series of inappropriate behaviors by the priest during confession. Following that testimony, investigators opened proceedings that led to the adoption of precautionary measures against the clergyman.
The facts under investigation are said to have always occurred in the context of pastoral encounters or during the celebration of the sacrament of penance.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office of Lecce considers that there are sufficiently serious indications to justify the measure adopted while the case continues.
The priest denies the accusations
During his appearance before the judge, the priest denied having committed abuse and rejected the version of events presented by the prosecution.
According to his statement, the contacts under investigation were part of what he described as an alleged “purification rite” requested by the minor himself.
The clergyman claimed that the young man had told him he felt “possessed by the devil” and that the actions taken responded to that spiritual context.
This explanation has been included in the investigation, although it is now up to the magistrates to determine its credibility and clarify what actually happened during the encounters between the two.
The investigation remains open
The Public Prosecutor’s Office of Lecce continues to gather evidence to accurately reconstruct the reported facts.
Investigators are analyzing the statements of the alleged victim and the documentation collected in recent months. The possibility of taking statements from other individuals who could provide relevant information for clarifying the case has not been ruled out.