ASUNCION, Paraguay — A Roman Catholic bishop alleged Tuesday that Paraguay’s president resigned from his church leadership position in 2004 after at least two women in his parish wrote to a Vatican official that he had fathered their children.
Fernando Lugo, who was elected president last year, was hit with two paternity claims this month. He conceded last week that he is the father of one of the children.
Bishop Rogelio Livieres alleged Tuesday that when confronted with the women’s complaints in 2004, Lugo said it was “possible” that their children were Lugo’s as well.
Livieres said the church was aware of possible abuse of authority by Lugo but allowed him to resign without making the complaints public, thus facilitating his bid for the presidency.
