Bishop resigns over frolic in sea

Published on 27/06/2012 00:00

An Argentine bishop caught on film frolicking in the sea with a bikini-clad woman has resigned, the Vatican announced yesterday.

Monsignor Fernando Maria Bargallo, 57, was left with no option but to hand in his notice after footage of him emerged with Maria de las Victoria Martinez Bo, who at first he said was a “childhood friend.”

However the senior Roman Catholic clergyman later said he had been involved in a “sentimental relationship” with the businesswoman for several years.

Pictures of the couple embracing in the sea first emerged on Argentinian TV last week and officials from the papal nuncio’s office in Buenos Aries and the Vatican secretary of state launched an investigation.