An 80-year-old priest suspected of paying migrants for sex was found dead and naked in his bed at his Catholic Church-owned apartment in Spain.

Police in Valencia have arrested a 40-year-old man over the violent death in what they believe was a dispute between lovers. 

The suspect is described as being of South American origin. He is alleged to have killed the priest and then taken his mobile phone and wallet.

Alfonso López Benito, the retired canon of Valencia Cathedral, was found in bed on Tuesday.

A post-mortem examination concluded that he had been suffocated, probably with a pillow.

Offered shelter to men

Sources close to the investigation told Spanish media the police were seeking information from several young men who visited the retired canon’s apartment.

Benito is believed to have paid for sex and sometimes offered shelter to most of the men, who were described as destitute individuals or migrants working in the streets minding parked cars.

Neighbours had complained to police about noisy altercations in the priest’s home and the archbishop’s office in Valencia had reportedly asked him to stop inviting men to his apartment.

Friends of the dead priest say they received strange text messages from him during the week before his body was found, leading investigators to believe that the suspect was trying to buy time before the body was discovered.

However, he was caught when police traced the phone. He had also used a payment card belonging to Benito to buy drinks in a bar.

The Valencia archbishop’s office said that church authorities were helping the investigation.

“We are as interested as anyone in clearing up the circumstances of this death,” they said, while also offering condolences to the retired canon’s family.