NEWS & VIEWS
from a CATHOLIC perspective

      GUATEMALA CITY (CWNews.com) - A priest charged in the beating death of a Guatemalan bishop was hospitalized on Friday, suffering from an ulcer, pneumonia, and stress.

      Father Mario Orantes was being held in jail awaiting trial when he suffered the attack and was taken to a nearby hospital under heavy guard. His lawyer said the priest has an ulcer and bronchial pneumonia. Father Orantes has been charged in the death of Auxiliary Bishop Juan Gerardi Conedera in April, with whom he lived, but human rights groups and the Catholic Church believe he is innocent.

      Supporters allege that Bishop Gerardi was murdered by pro-military forces because of a report he released two days earlier that said the military was responsible for most of the deaths in the country's 36-year-long civil war. Father Orantes was previously hospitalized with respiratory problems on July 29, seven days after he was first arrested.