Pope gives blessing for ex-bishop to lead Paraguay

ASUNCION (Reuters) - Pope Benedict granted an unprecedented waiver to allow a former bishop to serve as president of Paraguay without violating church rules, a Vatican representative said on Wednesday. Although the Roman Catholic Church strongly opposes clergy taking political office, the Pope gave Paraguayan President-elect Fernando Lugo a special dispensation and downgraded him to layman's status. Lugo was elected in April, ending more than 60 years of one-party rule in the poor South American country notorious for corruption and contraband. He had stepped down as a Roman Catholic bishop, saying he felt powerless to help the poor. "It's the first time this is granted. It was accepted because the people have chosen him and ... because his clerical status is incompatible with serving as president," said Orlando Antonini, the... [read full story]