Accused bishop defends himself against Vatican decision

A Paraguayan bishop removed from his post by the Vatican has given a robust defence of himself, saying Pope Francis “will have to answer to God” for his removal, writes Isabel de Bertodano.

It was announced last week that Bishop Rogelio Ricardo Livieres Plano had been told to leave his job. The bishop had been accused of protecting a priest, Fr Carlos Urrutigoity, who was suspected of abuse in the United States.

Bishop Livieres, a member of the Opus Dei movement, incardinated Fr Urrutigoity into his diocese in 2005 and later made him vicar general. He has repeatedly defended his decision against reports that Fr Urrutigoity, who earlier worked in the Diocese of Scranton, Pennsylvania, had abused seminarians.