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Paraguay's Bishop-Turned- Prez Admits Fathering Child

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 13, 2009 1:02 PM CDT

(Newser) – The president of Paraguay admitted today to fathering a child with a 26-year-old woman while he was still a Roman Catholic bishop, the Daily Telegraph reports. Fernando Lugo, 57, left the church to pursue political office in December 2006; a son was born five months later, according to the paternity suit filed last week that pressured Lugo into today’s admission.

At first, people close to the president insisted the suit “must be false,” or part of a smear campaign. But today Lugo came clean, saying, “I assume all responsibilities … and I recognize paternity.” During Lugo’s campaign for president, the Vatican insisted he’d always be a bishop, giving him the unprecedented permission to resign only a day before his inauguration.

Paraguay's President Fernando Lugo, attends the opening session of the Arab-South American Summit in Doha, Qatar, March 31, 2009.
Paraguay's President Fernando Lugo, attends the opening session of the Arab-South American Summit in Doha, Qatar, March 31, 2009.   (AP Photo)
Paraguay's President and former Catholic bishop Fernando Lugo gestures during a news conference at the government palace in Asuncion today.
Paraguay's President and former Catholic bishop Fernando Lugo gestures during a news conference at the government palace in Asuncion today.   (AP Photo)
Paraguay's President and former Catholic bishop Fernando Lugo speaks during a news conference at the government palace in Asuncion today.
Paraguay's President and former Catholic bishop Fernando Lugo speaks during a news conference at the government palace in Asuncion today.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
Derni
Apr 13, 2009 10:31 AM CDT
No problem-we knew for years that priests in South America were married or --yes doing what comes natural--better than what happened in America!

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