Pope eyes 'playboy priests' diocese

Bishop Mario Oliveri.

A scandal-ridden Catholic diocese in Italy where priests posted naked photos of themselves on gay websites, raided church coffers and sexually harassed parishioners is to be investigated by a special envoy to Pope Francis.

The Pope reportedly intends to send an "apostolic administrator" to assess allegations that the northern diocese of Albenga-Imperia y has hosted a string of "playboy priests" moonlighting as barmen, stealing parish funds and getting tattooed.

Described by one newspaper as "the most gossiped about diocese in Italy", it has been run for 25 years by Bishop Mario Oliveri, 70. He is expected to be replaced by an auxiliary bishop, according to Il Secolo XIX, the region's main newspaper.

Pope Francis has already sent Adriano Bernardini, an apostolic nuncio, or ambassador, to conduct a preliminary investigation into the scandals that allegedly unfolded under Bishop Oliveri's watch.

The bishop himself is not accused of any wrongdoing, but is reported to have been overly charitable in recruiting "black sheep" priests with distinctly chequered pasts, including trainee priests expelled from seminaries for misconduct.

They include a priest who was found guilty of organising an under-age prostitution ring and others who posted nude photos of themselves on Facebook and gay websites.

Priests in the diocese have been accused of sexually harassing parishioners, living with gay partners and stealing Communion money.

Father Luciano Massaferro, for instance, a parish priest, was sentenced to nearly eight years in prison after being found guilty of sexually abusing an altar boy. He had been strenuously defended by the bishop.

The large number of scandals were brought to the Vatican's attention by appalled parishioners.

Asked about the investigation, Bishop Oliveri told La Repubblica newspaper: "I don't want to talk about it. This is not the right time."