Paraguayan prelate: No reason to reconsider celibacy

ASUNCION, Paraguay

Responding to comments by Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo, the archbishop of Asuncion said the Catholic Church has no reason to reconsider the church discipline of celibacy for Latin-rite priests. Archbishop Eustaquio Cuquejo Verga told the Paraguayan newspaper La Nacion, "Celibacy is celibacy" and that, as a former bishop, Lugo "is aware of the rules of the Catholic Church." In an interview published June 11 in Chile's El Mercurio newspaper, Lugo said the church should rethink its stance on celibacy.

The president's administration was rocked in April by revelations that he had fathered a child after he had resigned as bishop, but before being laicized by the Vatican, while he was running for the presidency. Lugo legally recognized the boy, who is now 2 years old. Two other women also claimed Lugo had fathered children with them, although he has called the claims "allegations." After spending Father's Day with the child June 21, he said the boy was his "only son."