An Italian priest has announced his engagement to a woman with a one year old child.Fr Sante Sguotti has made it clear that the relationship will remain platonic.
Interfax reports that he says there is no church prohibition against loving a woman.
The pastor in love has been supported by over 200 members of his parish at Monterosso near Padua.
At a referendum he himself arranged, they spoke in favour of his remaining to be a priest.
Only 17 people including the local bishop wanted him to leave the office.
He said: "The law does not prohibit a priest to love or to be engaged to a woman if he stays celibate."
He has also urged all the priests in love to "come out".
The priest is not going to adopt the child.
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