Italian bishop resigns after inquiry into misconduct among diocesan clergy
September 02, 2016
An Italian bishop has resigned after an inquiry into misconduct among the priests of his diocese.
The resignation of Bishop Oliveri of Albenga-Imperia was announced by the Vatican on September 1. His diocese had been the subject of a Vatican investigation opened in 2014 after published reports that priests had been accused of sexual abuse, homosexual affairs, and misuse of parish funds.
Bishop Guglielmo Borghetti, who had been named in March 2015 as a coadjutor bishop, will take over leadership of the diocese.
The Vatican offered no official explanation for the resignation of Bishop Oliveri, who at the age of 72 is three years short of retirement age. Bishop Oliveri has drawn support from traditionalist Catholics, who praised his defense of orthodoxy and his success in attracting men to the priesthood. But critics argue that the large number of young priests and seminarians reflects the willingness of the diocese to overlook problems of character.
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Further information:
- Bishop of Albenga quits after scandal (ANSA)
- Pope removes bishop accused of accepting problem priests (Fox)
- Vatican investigating Italian diocese troubled by clerical misconduct (CWN, 10/24/14)
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