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Feb. 1, 2007 (CWNews.com) - "The Vatican has announced the suspension of a retired Catholic bishop in Paraguay who is campaigning for the country’s presidency.
Bishop Fernando Lugo Mendez, the former Bishop of San Pedro, has been suspended a divinis, the apostolic nuncio in Paraguay revealed. The Vatican decision was conveyed by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re (bio - news), the prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, after the Paraguayan prelate rejected Rome’s directive that he must end his presidential race.
Cardinal Re had warned Bishop Lugo about the prospect of canonical sanctions even before the Paraguayan bishop announced his presidential candidacy on Christmas Day. Lugo will challenge incumbent President Nicanor Duarte Frutos in the country’s May 2008 elections.
Bishop Lugo, who has not been active in priestly ministry for some time, has told the Vatican that he wishes to “resign” from the priesthood. He has already renounced his clerical status in Paraguay-- as required by the country’s constitution, which bars a religious minister from serving as president.
Bishop Lugo was appointed in 1994 to head the San Pedro diocese. He resigned in January 2005, citing health considerations, but any concerns about his health are belied by his continued active role in social and political affairs."
Another blogger shouts, a New Jersey priest who has a devoted attention to heraldry, posted reference to this story and whimsically concluded his posting using his heraldry skills. It does offer something of a smile for a Saturday morning as posted at the top of this posting.
