Archbishop Eustaquio Cuquejo Verga told the Paraguayan newspaper La Nacion, “Celibacy is celibacy” and that, as a former bishop, Lugo “is aware of the rules of the Catholic Church.”

In an interview published June 11 in Chile’s El Mercurio newspaper, Lugo said the church should rethink its stance on celibacy. The president’s administration was rocked in April by revelations that he had fathered a child after he had resigned as bishop, but before being laicized by the Vatican, while he was running for the presidency.

Lugo legally recognized the boy, who is now 2 years old. Two other women also claimed Lugo had fathered children with them, although he has called the claims “allegations.”

After spending Father’s Day with the child June 21, he said the boy was his “only son.”

On June 22, Benigna Leguizamon, 26 — who filed a paternity suit against Lugo in April, saying he had fathered her 6-year-old son — told a radio interviewer that Lugo had raped her when he was bishop and she was 17. The president denied the charge, calling it “chapter two” of a soap opera. A third woman who claimed in April that Lugo had fathered her child has not filed a paternity claim.

In the interview with El Mercurio, Lugo said, “There is an imperfect celibacy, a human celibacy, that helps provide greater freedom for pastoral work. I believe celibacy is a value within the church, which should be seen as a sign of the kingdom of God. When that sign has been lost, I believe it is time to rethink celibacy today in Latin America and in the world.”

Saying he did “not want to hide anything,” Lugo added: “There are moments in life when emotions and love know no age or situation. There are people who make one’s heart beat faster.”

Lugo said his experience as a pastor helped him learn to listen, and that he believes “more than ever in a liberating God, a loving God who is always present in our lives.” He added, “One thing I never want to do is leave the Catholic Church, in which I was born.”

Lugo, who was sworn in last August, is scheduled to serve until 2013. After serving his term in office, he said, he hopes to “combine politics and religion” in his life.

“I will go live outside the city and review many aspects of my life and will try to make a contribution to society,” he said.