COMMENTARY: Time for Berlusconi to Be Removed as Prime Minister of Italy

The Roman Catholic Church in Italy this week issued its strongest reprimands in recent history against the country's political elite.

The straw that appears to have broken the camel's back in this change of venue was a published account of a party held at Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's home. The fact that Berlusconi, a multi-billionaire, had paid a woman to appear at the party -- dressed as a nun -- and to perform a striptease act in front of the party attendants infuriated the Catholic Church hierarchy in Rome and throughout Italy.

Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco -- head of the Italian Bishops' Conference -- this week criticized the Italian government for its immoral actions, saying it needed a "correction of habits and lifestyles" to help it emerge from a "culture of nothingness."

Berlusconi -- who was elected prime minister of Italy for a third term in 2008 -- has shown an obsession in recent years for voluptuous young women. In fact, his wife divorced him in 2009, because of his multiple affairs with young women -- or "minors" as she referred to them.

In November 2010 teenage Moroccan belly dancer and alleged prostitute Karima El Mahroug -- better known as "Ruby Rubacoun" -- said she was given $10,000 by Berlusconi at parties at his private villas. Berlusconi, 75, has been charged -- and is awaiting trial -- for paying El Mahroug to have sex with him while she was an underage minor.

There are other criminal charges and scandals currently facing Berlusconi -- too numerous to describe here.

The kind of immoral behavior that Berlusconi has been living during the past few years in Italy must no longer be tolerated by the Italian people. In addition to bringing shame to himself, Berlusconi has brought shame to Italy, with some people now referring to that nation as "The Bordello State."

Italy must not be required to wait until 2013 when Berlusconi's term as prime minister is scheduled to end. Rather, the Italian legislature must begin proceedings now to remove him as prime minister -- and the sooner it does so, the better for Italy.