Bishop Caught on Camera

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TRANSCRIPT

On Wednesday, Pope Francis accepted the resignation of Brazilian bishop Tomé Ferreira da Silva of the diocese of São José do Rio Preto. This after an explicit video was leaked Friday of Bp. Ferreira da Silva masturbating on camera.

The video quickly became viral and the bishop reportedly confessed to a local news network he is the man on tape. Bishop Ferreira de Silva claimed the video leak was an act of revenge by someone he lives with. This video leak isn't Ferreira de Silva's first sexual scandal. The bishop was accused in 2015 of having a romantic relationship with his chauffeur.

Throughout his episcopacy, the Vatican has investigated Ferreira da Silva multiple times for alleged sexual misconduct and for covering up abuse. Bishop Ferreira de Silva was also accused of sending explicit messages to a teen. He denied all accusations and avoided charges, until last week.

Newly resigned bishop Ferreira da Silva was caught red-handed violating clerical celibacy and committing grave sin. On the same day the video broke, Bp. Ferreira de Silva posted a message on the sacrament of marriage — praising the faithful love between husband and wife.

The Catechism condemns masturbation as an "intrinsically and gravely disordered action" contrary to the purpose of one's sexual faculty. Though sins of the flesh are celebrated by today's society,  masturbation is self-abuse — especially repulsive among shepherds of the Church.

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