Thursday 4 March 2010 19.59 GMT


The Vatican was today rocked by a intimacy scandal reaching into Pope Benedict's household after a chorister was sacked for allegedly procuring male love-peddlers 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 Ehiema 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.",



In one conversation, Ehiem tells Balducci: "I saw your call when I was in the Vatican, because I was doing rehearsals … in the choir … in St Peter's." He then suggests Balducci meet a man who he describes is "two metres tall … 97 kilos … aged 33, completely active."

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.

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".

According to a report by the Carabinieri for prosecutors in Florence investigating the corruption scandal, there was a hidden side to Balducci's life. "In order to organise casual encounters of a sexual nature, he availed himself of the intercession of two individuals who, it is maintained, may form part of an organised network, especially active in [Rome], of exploiters or at least facilitators of male prostitution

It named one as Ehiem, a professional chorister born in Nigeria. According to Italian press reports, Ehiem, a member of the choir that sings in St Peters when the pope is not officiating, lost his job on Wednesday after details of the Florence investigation became known to the Vatican.

In an interview to be published tomorrow by the news magazine Panorama, Ehiem said he had been introduced to Balducci more than 10 years ago. He claims: "He asked me if I could procure other men for him. He told me he was married and that I had to do it in great secrecy."

There were conflicting accounts of how the Vatican might respond. According to one source, there was no provision for the dismissal of a Gentleman of His Holiness. Another said: "We shall wait for the judiciary's definitive verdict."


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?"

He asks where Balducci is. The adviser says: "Up at the seminary … where the cardinal lives." Ehiem replies: "He could get there within half an hour … the time it takes to catch a taxi and get there."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/mar/04/vatican-gay-intimacy-scandal

Another scandal in the Church?. Again!!

[size=13pt]^{What are we not going to hear or see from all these Church rats pretending. . . .} [/size]

Horus:

Another scandal in the Church?. Again!!

more information please.

chakula:

more information please.

World so full of sin

World so full of sin

[size=13pt]<sup>Yeah~~ the world is full of sin. . . . and it is suppose to be so . but sinning while pretending is the worst!! .

my signature said. . . . be a sinner , and sin boldly.</sup> [/size]

abrahym:

World so full of sin

abrahym:

World so full of sin

If we sin bold&die where shall we end up being?

[size=13pt]we shall end up in the grave and that's all. . . . [/size]

toba:

If we sin bold&die where shall we end up being?

What then happens afterwards

What then happens afterwards

[size=13pt]Nothing much. . . .[/size]

toba:

What then happens afterwards

Lawd hammercy!

How can a priest talk about marriage and family issues when he isn't married? These Paedaphiles are sick, and rotten on the inside. All they do is relish in power and indulgence and provide no hope and guidance for the people.

Its a disgrace and shame, and the pope should have resigned, since he is not capable of dealing honestly with such issues. What kind of power does one have, as a pope, when they are not in control of the under-bishops?

God is in control, and he is certainly not leading these bastards.

[size=13pt]he who you're asking for mercy is even doing something worst than having sex. . . . the only difference he operates in secret / hidden agenda and always playing on the invisible league . [/size]

mama-gee:

Lawd hammercy!

So satanist Ogaga4Luv, what is the solution from Satan? I guess you will die before never having seen such, huh?

This shouldnt be surprising. Christianity has always been known to change through time. People are now clamouring for the allowance of marriages among priests as this will at least keep them away from abusing kids.

please, i would like to know the most excellence churches that pedestal their schooling or coaching as the same as the way that jesus has taught his disciples at some stage or point of his life time,because i be aware of that the catholic was not included upon all the figure,integer and numeral of the fallowers that they possesed.