Rome, Italy, Mar 18, 2010 / 18:35 pm
As cases of sexual abuse by clergy and religious within the European Church have manifested themselves in five different countries, news of more abuses has come to light in South America. Three priests have been suspended for their involvement in alleged homosexual activities in a diocese of eastern Brazil.
Investigations were acknowledged on Tuesday when Holy See spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi, released a statement through Vatican Radio affirming concretely that no bishops were involved in the cases.
Reports from Brazil had mistakenly tied the activities to bishops, as they also carry the title of "monsignor" there.
The situation was made public in the Latin American nation this week when a video was run on Brazil's SBT Television Station that allegedly shows 82-year old Monsignor Luiz Marques Barbosa involved in sexual relations with a 19-year old man.