Trial for priest accused of sexual abuse

Trial began Tuesday in Genoa, Italy, for a priest accused of sexually abusing young parishioners and providing them with drugs. The Rev. Riccardo Seppia stood trial for allegedly trading young boys cocaine for sex, and attempting to molest an altar boy. In a tapped phone call obtained by investigators, Seppia allegedly told a drug dealer: "I do not want 16-year-old boys, but younger. Fourteen-year-olds are okay. Look for needy boys with family issues." In July, the Vatican significantly hardened its line against pedophilia, ANSA reported. The statute of limitations has been extended from 10 to 20 years in the newest list of canon law Delicta Graviora (major crimes). In the "most serious" cases, clergy may now face immediate defrocking.