He allegedly made lovers pretend to be Judas so he could 'punish' them

An Italian priest has been sacked amid claims that he took part in gay orgies with a Swiss Guard.

The prelate was sacked from a religious order in Taranto after one of his online lovers contacted the church authorities with a dossier containing alleged evidence of sex with prostitutes, role play and explicit gay web chats.

The priest allegedly favoured sexual role-play scenarios in which his lover played the disciple Judas Escariot, and had to atone for his betrayal of Jesus by becoming his slave.

Controversy: News of prelate being sacked after an online lover contacted Taranto church authorities with a dossier containing alleged evidence of sex with prostitutes is just the latest sex scandal to engulf the Vatican

The diocese confirmed that the priest had been dismissed but claimed there were no other prelates involved.

Turn-on: The priest allegedly favoured sexual role-play in which his lover played Judas Iscariot, and had to atone for his betrayal of Jesus (pictured)

A 32-year-old man, from Rovigo in northeast Italy, claimed he was contacted by the unnamed priest around six months ago on Facebook.

The man, an unemployed labourer, said he was having problems at the time and thought that 'it could have been a sign from heaven.' 'I needed spiritual help,' he told Corriere della Sera.

The priest revealed that he was gay during online chats and attempted to seduce the labourer.

'He told me my pictures made him excited and asked me to send him an intimate photo,' the man claimed.

The pair also had a video conversation via Skype, during which the priest was allegedly naked.

The priest allegedly said that he had organised orgies with priests and a Swiss Guard, although church authorities have not said anyone else was involved.

The labourer said that he was not gay but did not want to risk losing the spiritual support of the priest, who he claimed even convinced him to leave his girlfriend.

'He told me that he liked guys, especially young ones, and that he could do everything for them, also help them to buy clothes, mobile phones and recharge costs,' he claimed.

Protection: The Italian priest was sacked amid claims that he took part in gay orgies with a Swiss Guard. The Swiss Guard serves as the de facto military of Vatican City

A statement by the diocese of Taranto said: 'Regarding the reports about a parish priest in the archdiocese of Taranto or rather his morally reprehensible conduct, utterly incompatible with ministry, the Curia notes the following.

'The priest in question who is not part of the Taranto clergy but of a religious order has been removed from pastoral care by bishop Filippo Santoro after verifying the facts.