Pope accepts the reduction of Paraguay’s President (who was a Catholic Bishop) to the lay state

(h2onews)Benedict XVI has granted a laicization to the president-elect of Paraguay, Fernando Lugo, an ordained bishop of the Catholic Church, who until now was suspended “a divinis”. The office of the president is incompatible with his clerical state.

Bishop Lugo had renounced his clerical state on December 18, 2006 in order to run for election. The day after his presidential win, on April 20, 2008, he asked forgiveness from the Catholic Church, in particular Benedict XVI for the “pain” that his disobedience to canonical laws caused in running for the presidency.

The Pope now urges him to remain faithful to the Catholic faith and to lead a life consistent with the Gospel. Lugo will assume his post as the new president of the country on August 15.