The Slatina Diocese announces the resignation of the Olt priest accused of targeting underage girls online

Priest Flavius Marcel Popescu, who served at the Găneșuica Church in Găneasa commune, Olt County, has resigned from the priesthood after being accused of allegedly targeting underage girls on social media and making sexual propositions to them. The Diocese of Slatina and Romanați announced his resignation and said that the man is to be investigated by the authorities.

The case came to the police’s attention on November 1, following a 112 emergency call made by a 36-year-old man from Bucharest. He allegedly reported that a 45-year-old man from Slatina was contacting underage girls for sexual purposes. Police officers from the Găneasa Rural Police Station opened a criminal case for the sexual corruption of minors and operations involving materials containing sexual abuse of minors.

According to information reported by the local press, the priest allegedly approached 13-year-old girls, using the names “Flavius” or “Florin,” sent them pornographic materials and asked them for sexually explicit images. Suspicions that such materials were found on his phone are also being investigated.

Some local women claim that several years ago the man was also suspected of misappropriating parish funds. This allegation has not been officially confirmed. The investigation is being conducted under the supervision of prosecutors, and the person under investigation benefits from the presumption of innocence.