A shocking scandal has rocked the Catholic Church in Peru after Bishop Ciro Quispe López, aged 51, was accused of having secret affairs with 17 women, including a nun and a lawyer.
The bishop, who led the Diocese of Juli, has since resigned following growing public outrage and an internal Vatican investigation.
The scandal came to light when the bishop’s cleaning lady reportedly discovered compromising materials at his residence and alerted church officials.
According to Peruvian journalist Paola Ugaz, the situation spiraled into chaos when some of the bishop’s lovers began fighting among themselves.
“A nun who was one of Bishop Quispe’s lovers became jealous of a lawyer he was also dating. She leaked information about his affairs to another woman, who then confronted the lawyer,” Ugaz explained. “It turned into a real soap opera.”
Sources close to the church revealed that many of the women involved were afraid to speak out, claiming they were emotionally manipulated and intimidated by the bishop, who used his position of authority to maintain secrecy.
The Vatican has confirmed that an official investigation is underway to determine the extent of misconduct and whether other church officials helped conceal the bishop’s actions.
Church leaders in Peru have described the scandal as “deeply shameful” and vowed to restore public trust. In a brief statement, the Archdiocese of Lima said:
“The Church stands for moral integrity and discipline. Anyone found guilty of abusing their position will face the full consequences under both church and civil law.”
López, who had served as bishop since 2018, reportedly went into hiding after resigning. Several local media outlets claim he has been placed under temporary church supervision pending the outcome of the investigation.
This is not the first time the Catholic Church in Latin America has faced sex and morality scandals, but observers say this case is particularly damaging due to the sheer number of alleged victims and the public nature of the revelations.
Faithful Catholics in Peru have expressed anger and disappointment. One parishioner said,
“We trusted him as our spiritual leader, but he betrayed that trust. The Church must act decisively to stop such abuses.”
The Vatican has urged calm among believers, promising swift and transparent disciplinary measures once the inquiry concludes.
As the investigation unfolds, Bishop López’s case stands as another painful reminder of the challenges facing the global Catholic Church in addressing misconduct and restoring faith among its followers.
