The abbot of a 1,500-year-old monastery accused of abusing a teenage boy has quit after the victim wrote to the Pope asking for justice.

Jean Scarcella, abbot of Saint-Maurice, in Valais canton in Switzerland, resigned after the boy wrote to the Pontiff to tell him how he had been molested.

Scarcella is also said to be facing further investigation into other victims and covering up alleged abuse.

Scarcella said in a statement on 13th September: “The investigation concerns an allegation that was made against me.

“I have assured Bishop Bonnemain of my full cooperation.

“In order to ensure the independence of the investigation, I have decided, in consultation with the abbey council and the president of the bishops’ conference, to suspend my office as abbot of Saint-Maurice until the preliminary investigation has been completed.”

The Saint-Maurice abbey was founded by Saint Sigismund on 22nd September 515 AD.

The police in Valais have also reportedly received a report and are investigating.

The church investigation is ongoing.