Former Policeman: Prison Chaplain Arrested

Father Rosario Buccheri OFMconv, the chaplain of Enna prison in Sicily, was arrested on 12 October when he handed 76 grammes of hashish to a prisoner, Italian media write.

The prison administration became suspicious after an increase in seizures of drugs and mobile phones from inmates in recent months.

In the convent cell of Buccheri, who sports long hair and is a former policeman, police found a sawn-off 12-gauge shotgun, a 38-calibre pistol with an erased serial number, a quantity of ammunition and about 35,000 euros in cash, as well as an electric pistol, a balaclava, a hook knife and two sabres.

Various burglary tools were found in the religious's car. Buccheri was known for his very long sermons.

Reverend Raffaele Grimaldi, the head of Italy's prison chaplaincy, said we should not "let ourselves be overtaken by a frivolous and quick judgement" and "not lose our sense of prayer and mercy towards those who have done wrong."

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