They also stated that "the priest himself had to discern, in dialogue with the bishop, if he intended to exercise the pastoral ministry according the requirements and norms of the Church or instead would embrace another vocation."
In the Jan 28 notice, the diocese said that the decision that Fr. Andrade wouldd resign from his functions as pastor was made "after dialogue with the priest himself."
The diocesan notice stated that the priest "will be able to continue the exercise of his pastoral ministry through some activities that were already entrusted to him in the area of communications and others that eventually may be assigned to him."
The statement said that it was the priest himself who "expressed his desire to continue to exercise his priestly ministry under the conditions required by the Church."
"Of course the need for clear discernment was seen, for a responsibly undertaken choice matured in reflection and prayer, a discernment made with serenity and free of pressure," under the pastoral guidance of Bishop António José Cavaco Carrilho of the diocese, the diocese said.
The notice also emphasized that by assuming the paternity of his daughter, Fr. Andrade demonstrated his commitment to the responsibilities inherent to this situation.
"This entire situation created an opportunity for debate and reflection in the news media and social media," on the discipline of celibacy in the Church, considering that the Church "is not static but dynamic and has a history that allows it to recognize and evaluate its values and its faults." he said.