HERE’S one to relish over your bedtime mug of cocoa: a gay prostitution scandal has erupted at the very heart of the Vatican, where, it was revealed today, male prostitutes were procured by a chorister for a papal gentleman-in-waiting.
Angelo Balducci
Angelo Balducci, a Gentleman of His Holiness, was caught by police on a wiretap allegedly negotiating with Thomas Chinedu Ehiem, a 29-year-old Vatican chorister, over the specific physical details of men he wanted brought to him. Transcripts in the possession of the Guardian suggest that numerous men may have been procured for Balducci, at least one of whom was studying for the priesthood.
The explosive claims about Balducci’s private life have sent shockwaves through the Vatican, which has yet to publicly comment on the affair.
Balducci was arrested on February 10, suspected of involvement in widespread corruption. A senior Italian government official, he is alleged to have to steered public works contracts towards favoured bidders. He has not yet been charged.
It was during this investigation into corruption that wiretaps revealed his alleged sexual activity. In one conversation, Ehiem tells Balducci:
I saw your call when I was in the Vatican, because I was doing rehearsals … in the choir … in St Peter’s.
He then suggests Balducci meet a man who he describes as
Two metres tall … 97 kilos … aged 33, completely active.
Balducci is also a senior adviser to the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples, the department that oversees the Roman Catholic church’s worldwide missionary activities.
Since 1995, he has been a member of one of the world’s most exclusive fraternities – the Gentlemen of His Holiness, or Papal Gentlemen, the ceremonial ushers of the papal household. In the words of a 1968 ordinance, they are expected to
Distinguish themselves for the good of souls and the glory of the name of the Lord.
According to a report by the Carabinieri for prosecutors in Florence investigating the corruption scandal, there was a hidden side to Balducci’s life.
In order to organise casual encounters of a sexual nature, he availed himself of the intercession of two individuals who, it is maintained, may form part of an organised network, especially active in [Rome], of exploiters or at least facilitators of male prostitution.
It named one as Ehiem, a professional chorister born in Nigeria. According to Italian press reports, Ehiem, a member of the choir that sings in St Peters when the pope is not officiating, lost his job on Wednesday after details of the Florence investigation became known to the Vatican.
In an interview to be published tomorrow by the news magazine Panorama, Ehiem said he had been introduced to Balducci more than teb years ago. He claims:
He asked me if I could procure other men for him. He told me he was married and that I had to do it in great secrecy.
There were conflicting accounts of how the Vatican might respond. According to one source, there was no provision for the dismissal of a Gentleman of His Holiness. Another said:
We shall wait for the judiciary’s definitive verdict.
The transcripts imply that over a period of around five months in 2008, Ehiem procured for Balducci at least ten contacts with, among others, “two black Cuban lads”, a former male model from Naples, and a rugby player from Rome.
Balducci’s lawyer, Franco Coppi, said:
I have no comment. First, because we have more serious questions to tackle. Second, if these claims are correct, they regard his private life. It is disgraceful that these transcripts, which have nothing to do with the case, should have been spread about.
Hat Tip: BarrieJohn
Also thanks to Lottie who just sent me this delicious Twat in Hat link.
The Freethinker was founded in 1881 by GW Foote, an outspoken critic of religion. After the publication of 
March 4th, 2010 at 11:08 pm
If it was just gay sex they’re OK (as long as they weren’t using condoms). It’s when they have “straight” sex that the feathers begin to fly!
March 5th, 2010 at 12:33 am
“Hullo, Ehiem, could you fix me up with a gentleman for my holey-ness?”
(Sorry, couldn’t resist that)
March 5th, 2010 at 4:14 am
Lmfao! I knew there was a reason I have insomnia tonight! This is just too good and true! When will these priests learn to keep it in there pants Lmfao! Thankyou
March 5th, 2010 at 5:27 am
Don’t do as I do, do as I say.
Sound familiar?
This is one of those sit back and enjoy moments.
@barriejohn. Tupping prozzies has to be the riskiest type of sex one can engage in. It would be close to suicide not to wear a welly.
Condoms at the vatican? I wonder if we’ll ever know?
I hope the paparazzi aren’t restrained by some lingering deference to this pervy old mans’ club.
March 5th, 2010 at 5:51 am
Inside the vatican I wonder.
I couldn’t resist posting this link. Wrong gender but you’ll get the gist.
http://www.youtube.com/results.....;oq=kurgan
Right. Off to work.
March 5th, 2010 at 11:43 am
I can only assume that the men engaged in this were not “true christians” or they would not do this.
Condoms: They must be having these delivered at the Vatican in van loads. That is the revelation needed. How they get them.
This morning, just as was reaching to switch off Thought for the Day I heard some sentences from that sanctimonious prat the Chief Rabbi – something about RCs and their meeting with Ratty to talk about things beyond or more important than …………….. Didn’t listen to the rest. All boys together as usual.
But they do go on as if they were so pure, uncontaminated, transcendal beings. Nothing about the Rent Boy and child abuse. Never mind, perhaps Rowan will take the chance to put the boot in when he preaches on Sunday. Bit of revenge for Ratty pinching some of his clergy which he is well rid of anyway.
March 5th, 2010 at 12:54 pm
I’m shocked…….shocked I tell you!!!
March 5th, 2010 at 1:09 pm
@sailor1031 So am I. Terrible, isn’t it? What gets me is not that he wants to indulge whatever sexual proclivities he chooses. That is for him. The sick bit is that while indulging himself he is part of the “Mrs Grundy”, sanctimonious, hypocrital outfit that lays into everyone else.
Somehow, I don’t think this will figure too much on the BBC programmes and definitely not on the religious bits. I wonder if they
might say something on the “Sunday” programme which tends to what passes for being candid. I know I am paranoid about this but that doesn’t mean that the heavy hand of RC censorship is getting at us and at work. The Sunday Programme, could be a bit of a test case. They won’t like this one.
March 5th, 2010 at 8:08 pm
This is great! Abuse cases in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Holland while all the time the boys could have all and any kind of sex if they’d only been assigned to the Vatican. Better keep the kids inside when Mr Ratzinger pays the UK his ‘state’ visit.
March 5th, 2010 at 9:06 pm
As with the recent spate of natural disasters that make you think, what will it take to get theists to admit that god is either evil or doesn’t exist. How sick, corrupt and evil does the Catholic Church have to be before Catholics see the light?