Catholic World News News Feature

Swiss priest in sex-abuse probe commits suicide February 06, 2008

A Swiss priest who had been accused of pedophilia committed suicide on Sunday, February 4, Vatican Radio reports.

The 45-year-old priest, whose name has not been released, shot and killed himself at his home near Fribourg, police reveal. Although he was not the subject of any criminal investigation, the priest was evidently concerned about probes by reporters who were seeking to learn his identity, after general revelations about sex-abuse charges. Before taking his own life, he composed a message criticizing the media for sensationalizing the charges.