The priest was sacked from his post in Taranto after a 32-year-old man contacted church authorities to expose him, Corriere della Sera said.

The 32-year-old man, from Rovigo in north-east Italy, claimed he was contacted by the unnamed priest around six months ago. An unemployed labourer, the man said he was going through a difficult time when he received a Facebook message from the priest.

“I thought it could have been a sign from heaven, I needed spiritual help,” he told Corriere.

After a few days of chatting online, the priest allegedly revealed he was gay and soon after began making sexual advances towards the labourer.

“He told me he was excited looking at my photos and asked me to send an intimate photo,” the man claimed.

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

One of the sexual fantasies allegedly shared by the priest involved Judas, the disciple who betrayed Jesus according to the Bible.

The labourer did not disclose how he responded to the advances, stating instead that he was not gay and did not want to risk losing the spiritual support of the priest.

“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.

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

Online gay chat was deemed to be “morally reprehensible” by the church authorities and “absolutely not compatible” with priesthood.