An Archbishop has set fire to an altar after it was allegedly used by a priest for a threesome with two dominatrices.
Archbishop Gregory Aymond shared an online video statement following the allegations against Reverend Travis Clark and the subsequent public outcry.
Rev Clark is alleged to have recorded himself carrying out sex acts with the two women at Saints Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church in Louisiana, leading to his arrest late last month.
In the statement shared today, Aymond said it was a 'very tough time to be a Catholic in the Archdiocese of New Orleans to say the least', adding: "Many people feel anger, betrayal and disappointment, and I feel the same way, as do my brother priests."
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He went on to say that after news of the allegations broke, the church made the decision to remove and destroy the altar.
Aymond said: "Regarding Travis, his obscene behaviour was deplorable, his desecration of the altar in the church was demonic and I am infuriated by his actions.
"When the details became clear we had the altar removed and burned. I will consecrate a new altar tomorrow."
Rev Clark was detained after a passerby saw lights on at the church and went over to see what was going on, before calling in the authorities.
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According to court documents, the two women were dressed in corsets and high heels, and stage lighting and sex toys were found at the scene, as well as a phone and a camera mounted on tripods.
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Rev Clark reportedly told cops the women were his 'guests and friends'.
Alongside Rev Clark, Mindy Dixon - a porn star and dominatrix for hire - and Melissa Cheng were also arrested and all three were charged with obscenity, according to Nola.com.
Dixon had posted on social media on 29 September saying she was on her way to meet another dominatrix 'and defile a house of God'.
The archdiocese announced it had suspended Clark from ministry the day after he was arrested.
Clark was released from jail on a $25,000 (£19,000) bail and could face between six months and three years in prison if convicted.
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Town council member and lifelong member of the church, Kat Walsh, said she had always found Clark to be likeable and hardworking, but said the arrests had upset parishioners.
Featured Image Credit: St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office