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Vatican Staffer Implicated in Prostitution Ring


Angelo Balducci x390 (source corsera.it) | ADVOCATE.COM

An usher and a choir member at St. Peter's Basilica have been accused of involvement in a gay prostitution ring.

Reuters reports that police recorded Angelo Balducci (pictured), who is in an elite ushers' group called Gentlemen of His Holiness, having phone conversations with Vatican choir member Ghinedu Ehiem about securing male prostitutes. At least one of the prostitutes was studying at a seminary.

In an unrelated ethics investigation, Balducci, who is also a board member for Italy's public works department and construction consultant for the Vatican, was arrested on corruption charges last month. He is still in jail. His lawyer declined comment to Reuters on the prostitution allegations, and the news agency could not reach Ehiem's attorney.

Vatican officials said Balducci was dismissed from Gentlemen of His Holiness and that Ehiem was dismissed by the Giulia Choir.

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Reader Comments
  • Name: lee
    Date posted: 3/6/2010 9:14:43 PM
    Hometown: youngstown

    Comment:

    Frank McElvoy...I think having the Roman Catholic Church give direction on sexual morals is like having Typhoid Mary give medical advice.

  • Name: lee
    Date posted: 3/6/2010 9:11:19 PM
    Hometown: youngstown

    Comment:

    wow josa... as to your refuting the importance of the position of these two men. The Papal Gentlemen, also called the Gentlemen of His Holiness or simply the papal ushers,[1] are the lay attendants of the pope and his papal household in Vatican City. Formerly known as Papal Chamberlains of The Sword and Cape (Cameriere di spada e cappa) before the Second Vatican Council, many came from families that had long served the Papal Court over the course of several centuries, while others were appointed as a high honor, one of the highest the Papacy conferred on Catholic laymen (often prominent politicians or wealthy philanthropists). They were originally selected from members of Italian royal and aristocratic families. Many of the current Papal Gentlemen come from families that have served the Popes for centuries. However, the rarely conferred title is now awarded to Catholic laymen throughout the world upon recommendation. Seems like a long history to be so lightly cast aside. Convenient

  • Name: Franz
    Date posted: 3/5/2010 11:51:14 PM
    Hometown: Seattle

    Comment:

    Yeah, I doubt if the scandal ends here. If he was "liason" then he was probably providing liason between the Vatican and prostitutes. He'll have to be paid off well.

  • Name: Zachary
    Date posted: 3/5/2010 7:57:10 PM
    Hometown: Atlanta

    Comment:

    Wow! Paying $2,700 for a hooker and having the luxury to even order body parts according to how Mother Nature blessed these studs. How lovely! 'It's Raining Men' in Vatican City. The Catholic Church is in deep financial trouble. There's a worldwide recession. And these horny, Catholic, homersexuals get the really hot stuff with big bucks. Praise Jesus!

  • Name: Scott
    Date posted: 3/5/2010 7:47:04 PM
    Hometown: Portland

    Comment:

    I just want to know what they charge, and how to contact them next time I'm in Italy.

  • Name: Davlin Court
    Date posted: 3/5/2010 5:09:44 PM
    Hometown: Long Beach

    Comment:

    A very well presented objective article. Too bad most of those commenting didn't read it, discern it, or even understand it, as most of the commentors were involved in expounding their ignorant misconceptions and hateful prejudices. The matter pertains to two individuals who were engaged in this activity, who happened to work part time in the Vatican. It has nothing to do with Vatican institutional policy nor authority, nor clergy. Like individuals every where in politics, religion, society, and family, past present and future, there are sexual skeletons in every ones closet! Every one at one time or another in some way succumbs to sex. The sin of misguided sex is more easily forgiven than any sin of misguided hate. Love, even errant love is better than hate!

  • Name: Frank McEvoy
    Date posted: 3/5/2010 3:51:06 PM
    Hometown: Alexandria, VA

    Comment:

    I think having the Roman Catholic Church give direction on sexual morals is like having Ted Bundy give dating advice.

  • Name: Jose
    Date posted: 3/5/2010 12:55:49 PM
    Hometown: Atlanta

    Comment:

    @ They are Celibacy has existed for a millennium for the clergy. Sex had never been an issue of great importance and in any seminarian's personal life, a calling to the priesthood should far outweigh any sexual relationship. A question all seminarians need to ask themselves before taking their vows is: if they truly have a calling to serve the Church, are there any addictions and personal issues that would inhibit their role as clergy -- gay or straight. Unfortunately, this examination of conscience has become watered down as everybody now wants to have their say and push in attempting to change Church traditions. If anybody finds sex to be an everyday necessity, they should ask themselves if they have a sexual addiction.

  • Name: lucee
    Date posted: 3/5/2010 11:47:20 AM
    Hometown: the, "other" washington

    Comment:

    sorry...i honour all commenting on this article but for myself...i just had to laugh and roll my eyes. REALLLY...really...REALLY.

  • Name: HowitWentDown
    Date posted: 3/5/2010 11:11:38 AM
    Hometown: Vaticatty

    Comment:

    "hey beyotch...what's up?" "hey, I was just wondering...you got the hookers for this weekend, right?" "yeah, I even got your favorite one Gianc..." "oh shit, the Pope is coming, I'll have to call you back."

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