Brazilian archbishop resigns after being caught in pedophilia controversy

Pope Francis accepted the resignation of Archbishop Aldo di Cillo Pagotto of Paraiba, Brazil on Wednesday, July 6 as some priests that the latter previously took in have faced charges of pedophilia.

According to the Catholic Herald, the Vatican accepted the archbishop's resignation on the basis of the Code of Canon Law, Canon 401.2, which involves "ill health or some other grave cause."

The archbishop, who served the diocese for 12 years, mentioned in his resignation letter that he made some necessary measures and changes for the sake of the archdiocese but that these clearly displeased some people whom he did not identify. These people, the archbishop believes, have already acted their vengeance on him. However, he maintained that he had only tried to do what's best.

"I gave shelter to priests and seminarians, in order to offer them new chances in life," read a statement from the resignation letter.

Among the mistakes he could have possibly committed in his archdiocese, according to the archbishop, was when he misplaced his trust.

"Among those were some who were later suspected of committing serious derelictions. I made the mistake of being too trusting," wrote the archbishop.

Observing how the conflict is only causing division for the church, Archbishop Pagotto decided that stepping down from his post would be the best thing to do for the archdiocese and the church as a whole.

Another bishop who tried to correct the errors of the Catholic Church was Bishop James V. Johnston Jr. of Kansas, who replaced former Bishop Robert Finn. The latter also resigned from his post after reportedly failing to act on the sexual abuse charges in his diocese.

Bishop Johnston offered an apology to the victims of sexual abuse during the Service of Lament at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Kansas on June 26.

"I am here to confess, apologize and repent for the sins of those who held a sacred trust in the church and who betrayed that trust," said the bishop, as quoted by The Kansas City Star.

"I ask for your forgiveness, not so much for my benefit, but for yours," he added. "We won't forget. We can't forget. We will never forget."