Vatican suspends gay cleric after television interview

0 Comments | AFP, October, 2007

ROME (AFP) — The Vatican has suspended a senior cleric who declared his homosexuality on a television programme, even though his face and voice were made unrecognisable, Italian media reported Saturday.

"His superiors are treating this situation with the required discretion and respect due to the person concerned, even if this person has committed errors," Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi told the Italian news agency ANSA.

"The authorities are obliged to act with the necessary severity against behaviour that is incompatible with religious service and the mission of the Holy See," Lombardi said.

The daily La Repubblica did not name the priest but identified him as an official around 60 years old in the Congregation for the Clergy, the Vatican...