Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of a Mexican
bishop who reportedly shielded a priest accused of sexually molesting an
11-year-old boy, and on Wednesday (July 15) the Vatican announced that a
Brazilian archbishop who spent $600,000 on renovations to his home and
offices had been dismissed.
The moves are the latest
signs that Francis is pursuing a hierarchical housecleaning that aims to
address the heart of the clergy sex abuse scandal—accountability for
bishops—while also removing prelates who don’t reflect the humble and
simple lifestyle he says is key to promoting the gospel.