Vienna, Austria, Jul 12, 2004 / 22:00 pm
Catholic leaders in Austria have reacted quickly to the emergence of a new sex scandal, discovered at a local seminary. The Austrian Bishops Conference issued a statement yesterday, pledging a full and swift investigation.
"Anything that has to do with the practice of homosexuality or pornography has no place at a seminary for priests," it said.
A private emergency meeting among Church leaders was called yesterday after about 40,000 photos and videos were discovered on computers at the seminary in St. Poelten, allegedly depicting young priests and seminarians having sex, even with their instructors, reported the news magazine Profil. The downloads also included child pornography. St. Poelten is located about 80 kilometers west of Vienna.
Diocesan officials declined to make a public comment.