ASUNCION, Paraguay (CNS) — The revelation that Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo, a former Catholic bishop, fathered a child before being laicized has damaged the church’s image, the country’s Catholic bishops said. Bishop Ignacio Gogorza Izaguirre of Encarnacion called the news “a blow against our church.”

In a statement issued April 14, a day after Lugo admitted having a son who is nearly 2 years old, the bishops asked “forgiveness for the sins of the members of the church, both pastors and the faithful,” and called on Catholics “and people of good will to pray for us to keep us faithful to our mission as priests and bishops.”

Lugo, who was elected president in 2008, admitted April 13 that he had fathered a child who will turn 2 May 4. In a televised statement, Lugo said: “It is true that there was a relationship with Viviana Carrillo. I assume all responsibilities that could result from that, acknowledging paternity of the child.” Lugo said he would dedicate part of his salary of about $3,500 per month to child support. He has been donating the entire amount to an agency that works with indigenous people.