Mags GarganBishop Rogelio Livieres Plano was told to step down as head of his diocese
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 September 25. Bishop Ricardo Valenzuela Rios of Villarrica del Espitiru 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. An apostolic visitation to the diocese in July was led by Spanish Cardinal Santos Abril Castello, archpriest of Rome's Basilica of St Mary Major.
The order for Bishop Livieres, a member of Opus Dei, to step down was based on "serious pastoral reasons" and motivated by "the greater good of the unity of the Church in Ciudad del Este" and among Paraguay's bishops, the Vatican statement said.
Decision
In the exercise of his ministry protecting unity among bishops and the faithful, 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," it said.
Despite speculation, the Vatican denied the bishop was dismissed because of his mishandling of sex abuse accusations, attributing the decision instead to other failings of governance and friction with fellow bishops.
Meanwhile, the bishop described his dismissal as a case of "ideological persecution" because of his opposition to liberation theology.