Catholic priest commits suicide in Italy

After admitting that he had sexually abused a teenage girl, a Catholic priest hanged himself in the sacristy at his parish church in northern Italy.


According to the diocese of Trieste, Rev. Makes Suard had been accused of committing certain "grave acts" with a then 13-year-old girl. The 48 year-old priest had served the Slovenian community of Trieste, which borders Croatia.

The priest had confessed to Bishop Giampaolo Crepaldi that the accusations laid against him were true. He then asked for two days to prepare a letter asking God's forgiveness. However, when Bishop Crepaldi arrived on the afternoon of October 28, to officially strip the priest of his functions, he found the priest hanging in the sacristy. A communique from the diocese entrusted the priest's soul to the mercy of God.