Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of a Brazilian archbishop who has been dogged by scandals and controversies.
Archbishop Aldo di Cillo Pagotto, 66, from Paraíba has been accused of a sexual relationship with an 18-year-old male.
The archbishop was also under investigation by a local prosecutor for alleged “connivance” in the sexual exploitation of minors.
In 2015, following an apostolic visitation, he was forbidden to ordain new priests and deacons.
Archbishop Pagotto denied the allegations.
He also faced criticism for ties to spiritualism and for joining a street protest against President Dilma Rousseff.
In his resignation letter, the prelate said his governance of the diocese led to a campaign of slander by anonymous priests.