Loading...
Loading...
Click here if you don’t see subscription options
Bishop Rogelio Livieres Plano of the Diocese of Ciudad del Este, Paraguay, who was dismissed from post, pictured after interview in Rome. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

After a Vatican investigation, Pope Francis removed a Paraguayan bishop from his post as head of the Diocese of Ciudad del Este because of “serious pastoral reasons.” But the bishop shot back later the same day, charging in an open letter that he was the victim of an ideological campaign by Paraguayan bishops in league with Vatican officials. Bishop Rogelio Livieres Plano, 69, was told to step down as head of the diocese, effective Sept. 25. Bishop Ricardo Valenzuela Rios of Villarrica del Espiritu Santo will temporarily administer the diocese. A Vatican statement said the “onerous decision” to dismiss Bishop Livieres was made after a “careful examination” of the findings of a Vatican investigation conducted by the congregations for bishops and for clergy. In the exercise of his ministry protecting unity among bishops and the faithful, according to the statement, Pope Francis “asks the clergy and all the people of God” in the diocese to accept the decision “with a spirit of obedience, docility and a neutral attitude.”

Comments are automatically closed two weeks after an article's initial publication. See our comments policy for more.
David Cruz-Uribe
9 years 7 months ago
An interesting action on the part of the Pope. I wonder who will be next. For a wrap up of reactions around the blogosphere, see my blog post: http://vox-nova.com/2014/10/03/there-is-a-new-sheriff-in-town/

The latest from america

Pope Francis accepts the offertory gifts during Pentecost Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican on May 19, 2023. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)
The pope devoted his entire Pentecost homily to describing how the Holy Spirit works in the lives of Christians with both “power and gentleness.”
Gerard O’ConnellMay 19, 2024
Today’s text from the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith makes clear that henceforth, as a rule, the Holy See will not declare any alleged spiritual phenomenon, such as an apparition, as authentic‚ that is, “of divine origin.”
Gerard O’ConnellMay 17, 2024
Cardinal Robert McElroy, Bishop Robert Barron and Bishop Daniel Flores joined moderator Gloria Purvis for a roundtable discussion on the rise of polarization in the church.
Michael O’BrienMay 17, 2024
Whether carefully reflected upon or chosen at random, picking a confirmation name is a personal and spiritual journey for Catholics, reflecting a connection to the saints or a loved one and a commitment to embodying their virtues.
America StaffMay 17, 2024