Pope accepts resignation of controversial Honduran bishop

Pope Francis on Friday accepted the resignation of auxillary bishop Juan Jose Pineda in Honduras, who has faced allegations by former seminarians of sexual misconduct, the Vatican announced.

Pineda has given up his post as auxiliary bishop of the Catholic Church’s archdiocese of Tegucigalpa, the Honduran capital, the Vatican said in a brief statement.

In March, former seminarians had accused the 57-year-old cleric of “serious sexual misconduct,” according to the US weekly National Catholic Register.

The alleged incidents happened earlier this decade when Pineda was teaching at the archdiocese’s seminary for those studying for the priesthood.

Pineda was considered the righthand man of Honduran Cardinal Oscar Maradiaga, one of the closest advisors to Pope Francis and head of the “C9”, a council of cardinals who assist the pontiff in reforming the Vatican. (AFP) Photo by KOREA.NET – Official page of the Republic of Korea