Paraguay Bishop Suspended After He Announces As Presidential Candidate

Zenit earlier this week reported that Paraguay's Bishop Fernando Armindo Lugo Méndez has been suspended from exercising his ministry after he announced that he intends to run for President of the country in its 2008 elections. The Vatican said it regretted the decision, but it is required by Canon Law. Section 285 (Par. 3) provides: "Clerics are forbidden to assume public offices which entail a participation in the exercise of civil power." Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, prefect of the Vatican Congregation for Bishops, imposed "the punishment of suspension 'a divinis' in keeping with Canon 1333, Paragraph 1" of the Code of Canon Law. In addition, Paraguay's Constitution (Art. 235(1)(5)) does not permit ministers or clergymen of any religion to hold the post of President. Mendez had already resigned from his active ministry in order to run. (Catholic News Service, Jan. 12).