Paedophile pictures have been found in the computer of a French priest, sources close to the investigation said Wednesday, amid a widening European child sex abuse scandal.

The pictures were discovered by investigators involved in a probe into text messages allegedly sent by a priest in Montpellier to the husband of his then-mistress, the sources said.

The cleric initially said he had been carried away by the breakup, but later admitted he had downloaded the images before that event, they said.

Initial findings suggest the priest was engaged only in downloading the images.

The Montpellier diocese could not be reached late Wednesday.

Child sex abuse allegations involving the Roman Catholic Church have recently roiled Germany, the Netherlands, Austria and Ireland.