Priest Charged After Drunken Punch-Up in Rome
Ananova
May 20, 2003

A Roman Catholic priest was among four drunken men arrested after they allegedly attacked a tramp and two police officers in Rome.

Police say the 35-year-old, who they refused to name, had to be held down by other officers called in to help, after he lashed out at them, kicking and punching. Tourists watched amazed as the priest, complete with dog collar, was bundled into a squad car at the Campo di Fiori square in the centre of the Italian capital. Witnesses said that he and the other three men were drunk as they first insulted and then attacked a tramp who was sitting under a statute in the square.

When officers arrived at the scene the men refused to come quietly and allegedly began attacking police with the priest being in the forefront of the attack. A police spokesman said: "Not much charity was being shown by these men especially the priest. "They were all drunk and we received a call to say they were insulting a tramp and then had started to beat him up. "When two officers in a squad car arrived they tried to calm the situation down but instead found themselves being attacked by the priest. "They suffered cuts and bruises and had to call for back up so they could get the handcuffs on him." The priest and the three others, have all been charged with resisting arrest and assaulting police and have been bailed until their court appearance later this month.