POPE Francis has accepted the resignation of a Honduran bishop accused of sexual misconduct with seminarians, the latest in a series of high-ranking clergy scandals.
Francis had ordered an inquiry into the allegations against Tegucigalpa auxiliary bishop Juan Jose Pineda Fasquelle last year.
Yesterday, the Vatican announced Pineda’s resignation without explanation. He was the top deputy to Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga, a key advisor to Francis.
Maradiaga often left the archdiocese in Pineda’s care due to his obligations as a member of Francis’ cabinet, as well as poor health that has forced him to seek medical treatment overseas.
The Vatican inquiry is focusing on sexual misconduct claims against Pineda and financial impropriety charges against Maradiaga. Francis had supported Maradiaga’s claims of innocence.
L’Espresso magazine reported Pineda had intimate relations with several men, including some favourites who he bestowed with gifts. Several seminarians reported his attempted advances.
It comes after American Cardinal, Theodore McCarrick, was removed from public ministry following revelations he sexually abused both minors and adults.
French Reverend, Tony Anatrella, was also sanctioned after several of the psychotherapist’s male patients accused him of sexual improprieties during therapy.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here