This week in religious news, Pope Benedict XVI has unexpectedly announced his resignation from the papacy.  This announcement came as a big surprise and has caused much controversy.  The last papal resignation was in 1417 by Gregory XII.  Pope Benedict claims that his decision to resign is based on his frail health and age (85), but rumors have been circulating around the Vatican that he and other top church officials are being blackmailed by a Gay Lobby.

According to the Italian daily newspaper, La Repubblica, a powerful Gay Lobby is controlling the Vatican.  A 300 page dossier investigatory report has been written by a trio of bishops and will soon reach the pope’s desk.

The report explains how a secret, gay underground society exists within Rome and the Vatican City.  Secret meetings and sexual encounters are organized between the clergy and young men.  This report apparently claims that the Holy See consistently  break the sixth and seventh commandments.  The sixth addresses adultery and the seventh refers to stealing.  Adultery in this case refers to the Catholic church’s traditional stance that homosexual sex is not ordained by God and therefore considered a sin.

Until recently, the pope claims to have been unaware that were gay priests exist in the Catholic Church.  Upon his resignation, this 300 page dossier of illegitimate activities concerning the Catholic church and its clergy will be presented to the new pope. An Irish newspaper, the Irish Times, claims that the report was commissioned by the Pope himself after the Vatileaks scandal last Spring.

This is not the first time that the Vatican has been under media attack.  In 2010, an elite papal usher and papal chorister were linked to a gay prostitution ring.  Both were later discharged from their high ranking positions.

Further reading: Papa Resignation Under Questionable Circumstances