Pope accepts resignation of bishop accused of sexual and financial misconduct

Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of an auxiliary bishop embroiled in sexual misconduct and corruption allegations.

Bishop Juan José Pineda of Tegucigalpa, Honduras was accused in December 2017 of allowing “reckless financial operations” and giving Church funds to friends, including buying someone an apartment and car. He has not yet commented on the allegations.

Then in March, allegations emerged of grave sexual misconduct by the bishop towards seminarians in the archdiocese. Two former seminarians accused Bishop Pineda of attempting to sexually assault them and then making life difficult for them once they had rejected his advances.

The bishop is an auxiliary to Cardinal Oscar Maradiaga, a close confidante of Pope Francis and head of the so-called C9 council of cardinals advising the Pope on Vatican reform.