Peruvian Bishop Allegedly Defrocked for Pedophilia

Globalpost
September 20, 2013

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/130920/peruvian-bishop-allegedly-defrocked-pedophilia

[with video]

A Peruvian bishop has been defrocked over allegations of pedophilia, a former colleague said Friday.

The alleged offender is Gabino Miranda, until now the auxiliary bishop of Ayacucho in southeastern Peru.

This is the first time a bishop has been accused of abusing children in Peru, said Bishop Luis Bambaren.

"He has not only been fired but also reduced to a layman. He is no longer even a priest," Bambaren told reporters.

The name of Miranda, who belongs to the ultra-conservative Catholic group Opus Dei, has been removed from the website of the archbishop's office in Ayacucho.

Miranda's whereabouts are unknown.

The Peruvian Bishops Conference has not confirmed Miranda's removal.

"The issue is being looked at. When there is a statement, it will be released," a conference spokesman told AFP.

Bambaren, who is the bishop emeritus of the northern city of Chimbote, said the case would tarnish the Church in Peru.

"Judas was a traitor and he did not stain the Church," he said.