Brazilian Bishop Tome Ferreira da Silva has resigned from his post in the diocese of São José do Rio Preto, in the state of São Paulo, following the dissemination of an intimate video of him on social media, the request was accepted by the Pope. …
The information was confirmed by the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (CNBB) in a short statement in which the organization stressed that “the Holy Father today accepted the request to relinquish the pastoral rule of the Diocese of São José do Rio Preto.” D. Tome Ferreira da Silva, who at the same time calls “D. Moasir Silva, Archbishop of Ribeiran-Preto. “
The bishop’s resignation came a few days after the publication on social networks of a video in which the priest appears half-naked and caresses intimate places, virtually chatting with someone.
Tome Ferreira da Silva resigned in September 2018 as Regional Coordinator for the Archbishop of Ribeirão Preto, associated with the Episcopal Conference, when he learned that the Vatican was investigating his alleged failure to act in cases of sexual assault allegedly committed by priests of the diocese.
The designated Vatican representative to investigate was Dom José Negri of the Diocese of Santo Amaro and a personal friend of Pope Francis.
This is not the first time that a religious leader appointed as bishop in 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI has been involved in sex scandals.
