Second Lady Says Fernando Lugo Fathered Her Child

ASUNCION, Paraguay, April 21, 2009— -- The president of Paraguay, who had already shocked his nation, and even the world, by confessing he had fathered a child with a young girl out of wedlock when he was a bishop, is facing a new paternity accusation.

The scandal may be more shocking than most to rock the political world because President Fernando Lugo was, at the time of the affair, a Catholic bishop and both of the young women were members of his flock.

Benigna Leguizamón, 27, on Monday claimed she has a 6-year-old son with the former bishop. The president responded to the claim by issuing a short statement saying that he was going to act "in line with the truth."

Lugo came to power on a wave of optimism, promising to clean up politics and bring a brighter future to the country.

It was a significant victory. Lugo ousted a party that had been in power for 61 years and his ticket was promising "power to the people."

Then last week, eight months into his government Lugo, the former bishop of San Pedro, shocked both friends and foes by publicly announcing that he was the father of a 2-year-old boy.

"Before my people, before my conscience, and as show of respect to everyone who has trusted me, I express with the utmost honesty, transparency and sense of duty that the relationship with Viviana Carrillo took place. I take on all the responsibility, admitting fatherhood to the child," Lugo said in a public statement.

The more details that came out, the more shocking the situation appeared. According to Carrillo, the child's mother, the former bishop had been engaged in a sexual relation with her for the last 10 years, since she was only 16.

Under Paraguayan law, a sexual relation with a minor between 14 and 16 is an offense, described as sexual abuse and punishable by a fine.