The archdiocese of Naples says it has sent the Vatican a 1200-page dossier compiled by a male escort identifying 40 actively gay priests and seminarians in Italy.
In a statement posted on the diocesan website, Cardinal Cresenzio Sepe said none of the identified priests worked in Naples.
But he said he decided to forward the file to the Vatican because "there remains the gravity of the cases for which those who have erred must pay the price, and be helped to repent for the harm done".
The dossier, containing WhatsApp chats and other evidence, was compiled by a self-proclaimed gay escort, Francesco Mangiacapra.
He has told Italian media that he outed the priests because he couldn't stand their hypocrisy any longer.
