August 22, 2005

Abrupt Resignation Of Bishop Rocks Argentine Catholic Church

ARGENTINA
All Headline News

August 22, 2005 3:00 p.m. EST

Hector Duarte Jr. - All Headline News Staff Reporter

Buenos Aires, Argentina (AHN) - The resignation of bishop Juan Carlos Maccarone, shakes Argentina's church hierarchy after a published report alleges the move was triggered by an improper relationship.

church officials reported the resignation on Friday, but did not give a reason why Maccarone was leaving the central Argentinean diocese.

On Sunday, the major newspaper Clarin ran a front-page story citing sources, which say a video containing "compromising images" has been received by church officials, linking the bishop to a 23-year-old man.

The paper says its report is based on authoritative sources it did not identify by name. Church officials have no immediate comment on the report.

Local news agency Diarios y Noticias say the local church denies the report and claim health reasons as the motive for the bishop's departure.

The 64-year-old has not been seen in public since the announcement Friday, and he has not offered a reason for his resignation.

Posted by kshaw at August 22, 2005 09:23 PM