Ex-Vatican Altar Boy Testifies in Seminary Sex Abuse Trial

Judge Giuseppe Dalla Torre, the president of the Vatican tribunal (C) attends the inauguration ceremony of the 86th Judicial Year of the Vatican tribunal at the Vatican, on Jan. 31, 2015. Riccardo De Luca/File/AP Photo

ROME—A former Vatican altar boy has testified that an older seminarian would come into his bed at night to perform a sexual act on him in the Vatican’s youth seminary, saying his initial shock gave way to resignation because he feared being sent home.

Accuser L.G. testified for the first time Wednesday in the Vatican’s criminal courtroom, in the first-ever case to go to trial alleging sexual abuse within the Vatican walls—among the altar boys who serve at papal Masses in St. Peter’s Basilica.