get serious

By Diogenes ( articles ) | Feb 01, 2010

The abrupt resignation of Bishop Kizito Bahujimihigo of Kibungo, Rwanda, was prompted by "serious financial problems," according to an unidentified Vatican official cited in an AP story. Bishop Bahujimihigo-- who is only 55 years old, and apparently healthy-- acknowledged that he had resigned, but said: "For the details behind my decision, it is still early."

So we're left to speculate. What kind of "serious financial problems" would call for a bishop's resignation?

If a bishop takes his diocese into bankruptcy, is that enough to prompt his resignation? No. If he pays out $660 million-- roughly the annual budget of the Rwanda's national government-- to settle lawsuits brought by sex-abuse victims, is that enough? Nope. If he pays $100,000 to end a sex-harassment case brought by his own former employee, does that do the trick? No again.

Those, you see, don’t qualify as "serious financial problems." And I bet you're just dying to know what does. So am I.