Metro Weekly

Italian priest: I can understand being a pedophile, but not gay

Don Gino Flaim clearly has no sense of irony

Priest Don Gino Flaim, Credit: La 7
Priest Don Gino Flaim, Credit: La 7

Don Gino Flaim clearly has no sense of irony. The priest, a member of the Catholic Church — an institution no stranger to clergy members sexually assaulting children — told Italian TV station La 7 that he could understand members of the church being pedophiles.

What’s worse? He blamed the children.

According to The Independent, Flaim stated: “Unfortunately there are children who seek affection because they don’t get it at home and then if they find some priest he can even give in [to the temptation]. I understand this.”

He was asked if he thought children were responsible for priests molesting them. “In many cases, yes,” he retorted. Incredibly, after saying that he could “understand” pedophilia, he then described homosexuality as a “sickness.”

Flaim’s diocese — Trento in Northen Italy — stated that his comments didn’t reflect “the sentiments of the entire church community” with regards child sex abuse.

In a statement, Flaim attempted to deflect criticism from his church — which has currently suspended him — saying that his comments “do not represent the positions of Trento archdiocese and the general sentiment of the parish.”

Support Metro Weekly’s Journalism

These are challenging times for news organizations. And yet it’s crucial we stay active and provide vital resources and information to both our local readers and the world. So won’t you please take a moment and consider supporting Metro Weekly with a membership? For as little as $5 a month, you can help ensure Metro Weekly magazine and MetroWeekly.com remain free, viable resources as we provide the best, most diverse, culturally-resonant LGBTQ coverage in both the D.C. region and around the world. Memberships come with exclusive perks and discounts, your own personal digital delivery of each week’s magazine (and an archive), access to our Member's Lounge when it launches this fall, and exclusive members-only items like Metro Weekly Membership Mugs and Tote Bags! Check out all our membership levels here and please join us today!