Catholic World News

Uruguay: bishop resigns after charges of homosexuality July 01, 2009

The Vatican has announced the resignation of Bishop Francisco Barbosa da Silveira of Minas, Uruguay, who had been denounced by clergy of his diocese for engaging in homosexual activities.

The charges against the bishop became public after he was blackmailed by two ex-convicts who had videotaped their sexual encounters with him. His colleagues in the episcopal conference of Uruguay took a hands-off stance, saying that only the Holy See could replace a bishop.

The Vatican announcement did not offer an explanation for the bishop's resignation, beyond saying that Pope Benedict had accepted the resignation "in accordance with canon 401 para. 2 of the Code of Canon Law"-- which allows for a bishop to step down "because of illness or some other grave reason."

Source(s): these links will take you to other sites, in a new window.

• Other pontifical acts (VIS)
• Vatican to decide future of bishop in Uruguay accused of homosexual activities (CWN, Jun 29)

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