2nd paternity suit against Paraguay’s ex-bishop president; Opus Dei bishop alleges ‘cover-up of sorts’

April 22, 2009

Bishop Rogelio Ricardo Livieres Plano of Ciudad del Este, Paraguay-- a priest of Opus Dei since 1978 and bishop since 2004-- said on April 21 that the hierarchy has known "for years" about the infidelities of then-Bishop Fernando Armindo Lugo Méndez, now the nation’s president. “The Church hierarchy knew for years of this misconduct by Lugo, but kept silent. Now there's nothing that it can do.” According to Bishop Livieres, when the nuncio received complaints and confronted Lugo, Lugo offered his resignation.

“Many knew about Lugo's misbehavior. The whole world knew it. Many sectors are aware of the facts," Bishop Livieres said. “The Church failed when it did not speak more clearly. It's a cover-up of sorts.”

A week after Lugo admitted fathering a child while a bishop, a second woman claimed on April 20 that Lugo had fathered her son.

 

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Further information:

• Bishop: Church knew Lugo allegedly fathered kids (AP)
• Woman claims Paraguay prez fathered her child, too (AP)
• Paraguayan president fathered child while bishop (CWN)
• Paraguay’s ex-bishop president to return to Church (CWN)