Paraguayan Bishop May Be Kept Off Ballot Under Country's Constitution

In Paraguay, popular opposition candidate Fernanco Lugo who resigned as a Catholic Bishop in order to run for President may still be kept off the ballot by electoral officials. The Associated Press reported on Monday that Paraguay's current president, Nicanor Duarte, says that Paraguay's constitution bars clergy from holding the office of President, and that Lugo is still a bishop The president of the Paraguayan Bishops Conference agrees that Lugo cannot give up his Church position. In February, after Lugo announced his candidacy, the Vatican suspended him from exercising his ministry in accordance with provisions of Canon Law. (See prior posting.) He may now risk excommunication.