By Joanna Sugden
The Times (United Kingdom)
April 13, 2009
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/article6087099.ece
The President of Paraguay, a former Catholic bishop, has admitted fathering a child whilst he was a member of the priesthood, after a paternity suit threatened his political standing.
Fernando Lugo went on national television to make the admission, having previously denied claims that he was the father of a two-year-old child. Last week he was reported by local media to have been ready to go to court over the allegations. But today he made the following televised statement.
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| Paraguay's President and former Catholic bishop Fernando Lugo during his televised confession Photo by Jorge Saenz |
"I assume all responsibilities having to do with the fact that I had a relationship with [the mother of the child], and I recognise paternity," Mr Lugo, 57, said.
Viviana Rosalith, the child's 26-year-old mother, denied claims by lawyers that she had filed a paternity suit against the president last week.
Mr Lugo won the presidency in April last year heading a coalition that ended more than 60 years of one-party rule in the South American country.
Before taking control of the government he served as a Roman Catholic bishop for 10 years in the impoverished region of San Pedro. He quit the cloth in 2006 to launch his political career but was not freed from his bishop status until he became president and the Church reneged.
According to the lawsuit, Mr Lugo and the mother of the child met when he was a bishop in San Pedro and staying at her godmother's house.
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