Therapy of Mercy: Francis Sends an 83-Year-Old Bishop into Exile

The nuncio in Brazil, Giambattista Diquattro [who speaks on behalf of Francis], has ordered Spanish-born Bishop José Luis Azcona Hermoso, 83, the former prelate of Marajó, to leave the territory of his former prelature (AciDigital.com, 10 December).

Bishop Azcona was in charge of the prelature from 1987 to 2016. During the Amazon Synod in 2019, he was one of the few Catholic voices. He criticised the appearance of the idol Pachamama during the assembly and noted that the synod documents lacked references to "Christ crucified" and "sin".

After his retirement, he was succeeded first by Bishop Evaristo Spengler and on 3 November by Bishop José Ionilton Lisboa de Oliveira, 61. De Oliveria will take office on 13 January.

Until then, Bishop Azcona will have to leave his home and the territory of his former prelature.

Picture: José Luis Azcona Hermoso, facebook, #newsLwjcqxtjeu