PERU – Ciro Quispe López, the 51-year-old bishop of Juli, Peru, has resigned following explosive allegations that he maintained relationships with 17 secret mistresses.
The scandal reportedly came to light when López’s cleaning lady accidentally received explicit photos and videos that were meant for several women. She promptly reported the incident to the Catholic Church, which triggered a formal Vatican investigation.
Peruvian journalist Paola Ugaz described the case as a “real-life soap opera,” marked by jealousy, manipulation, and confrontations among the women involved. One nun, allegedly in a relationship with López, leaked details out of jealousy toward a lawyer who was also romantically linked to him.
Many of the women were reportedly reluctant to come forward, fearing López’s influence and authority within the Church.
Despite mounting evidence—including voice notes, photos, and videos reviewed by Vatican officials, López has denied all allegations. He claims to be the victim of a defamation campaign orchestrated by “dark hands.”
In addition to the sex scandal, López is also under investigation for allegedly embezzling church funds. He is accused of diverting church property, including furniture, to support a restaurant business called Patas Arriba, in which he had a financial stake. The restaurant’s name, which translates to “legs in the air,” has added further sensationalism to an already explosive case.
The Vatican accepted his resignation last month, more than 20 years before the mandatory retirement age for bishops.
The case has sparked widespread outrage and raised serious concerns about abuse of power and lack of accountability within the Catholic Church.
