Brazilian archbishop resigns following apostolic visitation

July 15, 2015

Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of a Brazilian archbishop following an apostolic visitation conducted by Cardinal Claudio Hummes.

Archbishop Antônio Carlos Altieri, 63, was appointed archbishop of Passo Fundo in 2012. For the previous six years, he had served as bishop of Caraguatatuba.

According to a Brazilian media report, local clergy complained to the apostolic nuncio following a $600,000 renovation of the episcopal residence as well as renovations to the seminary, chancery, and a retreat house.

Priests also opposed the imposition of a 10% diocesan assessment on parish income and complained about prelate’s “rubricism” and “ritualism” in the liturgy, as well as his willingness to accept seminarians who had left other dioceses and religious orders, according to the report.

In a letter to the archdiocese announcing his resignation, Archbishop Altieri, a Salesian, recalled that when he ministered in Angola, he was moved by the example of young albinos who, out of love for their families, moved into the forest when they realized that their presence led to the persecution of those whom they loved. He closed with an apology to anyone he may have offended.

 

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Further information:

• Rinunce e nomine (Holy See Press Office)
• Vaticano aceita renúncia de dom Altieri como arcebispo de Passo Fundo (Archdiocese of Passo Fundo)
• Olhares opostos? (O Nacional)