Catholics in the northeastern Brazilian state of Paraiba woke up yesterday to find that Archbishop Aldo di Cillo Pagotto was stepping down after having his resignation accepted by Pope Francis.
The Vatican said the Pope accepted his resignation in accordance with Canon 401.2 of the Code of Canon Law, which covers "ill health or some other grave cause".
In a letter about his resignation, the archbishop said he had always tried to give the best of himself and admitted he had made mistakes.
"I gave shelter to priests and seminarians, in order to offer them new chances in life. Among those were some who were later suspected of committing serious derelictions. I made the mistake of being too trusting," stated the letter.
