'Spotlight' priest hangs himself in jail after fresh paedophilia allegations

A priest convicted of sex abuse has hanged himself in jail following further allegations of paedophilia.

Father Bonifacio Buzzi, 57, was found dead in his prison cell in Minas Gerais, in the north of Brazil, the state government said in a statement.

According to reports, he had hanged himself with a sheet.

Buzzi was facing allegations that he had molested two boys aged nine and 13, and was arrested on Friday after criminal complaints were made.

He had previously been convicted of the abuse of a 10-year-old boy and was jailed from 2007 to 2015.

Buzzi was cited among the paedophilia cases listed at the end of Spotlight, the Oscar-winning 2015 film based on the Boston Globe newspaper's investigation of sexual abuses by Catholic priests and efforts by the Boston Archdiocese to cover them up.

Allegations against Buzzi first emerged in the 1990s in his home state of Santa Catarina. In 1995 he was convicted of molesting two boys in his parish near Mariana after their parents accused him of performing oral sex on their children.

Buzzi got a reduced sentence and the Catholic Church obtained a court order allowing him to serve it out at the home of the local archbishop.

Additional reporting by Reuters.

related articles
Spotlight star Michael Keaton defends the Catholic faith

Spotlight star Michael Keaton defends the Catholic faith

Spotlight: a film that the whole church cannot – and must not – ignore
Spotlight: a film that the whole church cannot – and must not – ignore

Spotlight: a film that the whole church cannot – and must not – ignore

Pope\'s commission on sex abuse sits down to watch Spotlight
Pope's commission on sex abuse sits down to watch Spotlight

Pope's commission on sex abuse sits down to watch Spotlight

Every Catholic bishop should watch \'Spotlight\', says former Vatican sex abuse prosecutor
Every Catholic bishop should watch 'Spotlight', says former Vatican sex abuse prosecutor

Every Catholic bishop should watch 'Spotlight', says former Vatican sex abuse prosecutor

News
Reflections on turning 75
Reflections on turning 75

Jewish academic and Hebrew scholar Irene Lancaster shares her reflections and wisdom of the years as she turns 75.

Which type of tree did Zacchaeus actually climb?
Which type of tree did Zacchaeus actually climb?

20 April is the feast day of Zacchaeus of Jericho. We all know the account of Zacchaeus climbing a tree to see Jesus. However, it turns out not to have been a sycamore tree at all. This is the story …

Global Church leaders urge renewed focus on cities as key to spreading the Gospel
Global Church leaders urge renewed focus on cities as key to spreading the Gospel

The Lausanne Movement is urging Christians around the world to see cities as one of the most important frontiers for mission, as rapid urbanisation continues to reshape where and how people live.

Pro-lifers show Parliament harsh reality of abortion up to birth
Pro-lifers show Parliament harsh reality of abortion up to birth

Under the changes, a woman who terminates her pregnancy by herself after the 24-week limit will not face any legal sanctions.