Priest in sex abuse trial to pay damages

(ANSA) - Cremona, May 12 - Father Mauro Inzoli, a 66-year-old priest who stands accused of several counts of sexual assault on minors, has agreed to pay damages to five of his alleged victims.
    The former head of a chapter of conservative lay Catholic movement Communion and Liberation (CL) in Cremona, northern Italy, will give 25,000 euros to the families of the five children. The oldest is now 16, and the youngest is 12.
    Inzoli is accused of abusing his authority to sexually assault underage boys, both in his office where he led spiritual exercises and in hotels in summer resorts during CL-organized youth holidays.
    Also known as Father Mercedes due to his passion for luxury cars, Inzoli was the founder of the Food Bank charity.
    The payment of compensation is a way for the defence to avoid civil action. The preliminary judge in the tribunal of Cremona also accepted a request from the defence team for a fast-track trial.
    The next hearing in scheduled for June 29.