She called Fr. Nieves an “accomplice” of the bishop and a fugitive from justice, accusing him of leaving the scene of an accident he supposedly caused.
The missionary also said Bishop Parrilla and Fr. Nieves did nothing about a purported culture of homosexuality did nothing to address priests in the diocese who had children.
The Associated Press cited a priest source who spoke on condition of anonymity, saying he feared retaliation. This priest said that diocesan money was wasted and mismanaged, and he alleged simony: “everything was sold and marketed: baptisms, marriages, everything.” Some clergy had three or four children, he said.
However, a source with knowledge of the situation, speaking on condition of anonymity, told ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish language news partner, that Nieves’ resignation was due to personal, not moral issues.
In a letter dated Feb. 19, Bishop Parrilla expressed his support for Fr. Nieves and respected his decision to resign as coadjutor bishop-elect, renewing his “fraternal friendship” and “understanding.”
“When a decision comes from so deep within, it is only possible to respect it, to pray and trust in God,” the bishop said. He noted that some 500 people had signed a published letter of “gratitude and support” to himself and Fr. Nieves.
“Despite this, and so many words of encouragement, I believe that the pain, which also touches his family, has been only worsening in the heart of our brother,” Bishop Parrilla said in his letter, which also obliquely addressed the priest’s critics.
“As for what is written by some people, I can’t imagine Jesus smiling and approving that there is someone capable of handing out Kingdom credentials… Rather, in my conscience the words of the Lord resound: 'Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me,’” he added.
The city of Riobamba is about 120 miles south of Quito. The Catholic diocese based there has about 620,000 people, the vast majority of whom are Catholic. It has about 50 diocesan priests.