'Eccentric' Bishop, Known For His Close Connections With The Rich, Dies Of COVID-19

An 84-year-old retired Bishop, who often courted controversy for his eccentric behavior and close friendship with the rich, has died of COVID-19. It is unclear whether he was vaccinated or not.

Bishop Onésimo Cepeda Silva, from the Mexican town of Ecatepec, died Monday after battling COVID-19 for three weeks, reported National Catholic Reporter. He was hospitalized and intubated after the infection worsened his condition.

Reports said he was anointed bishop of Ecatepec in 1995 and remained in the position until his retirement in 2012. However, he was known more for his eccentric behavior, close connection with the rich, and weird political connections.

His death was a trending topic on social media and Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador mourned expressed condolences for the deceased bishop at his news conference.

Though he served the country's roughest diocese, Bishop Cepada appeared in society publications and played golf at expensive country clubs. His birthday parties saw many politicians and business elites attending them. The bishop had also served as a godfather to bullfighters.

Cepada, a former lawyer, stockbroker, and banker, also founded the Inbursa financial group with Mexico’s richest person, Carlos Slim. His wealth earned him the nickname “million-dollar man.”

According to Mexico News Daily, he held controversial views and believed the separation of church and state was "nonsense" and "abortion was murder."

He was also accused of interfering in the 2006 Mexican presidential election and openly defended a cardinal accused of covering up pedophilia in the church. Bishop Cepada was also known for his flashy dressing, which included an oversized cross necklace.

The report added that the bishop was said to have had an extensive security arrangement, which included bodyguards and an armored vehicle. He is also said to have traveled with a machine gun under his seat.

"My friends are the poor and the rich. Unfortunately, I was born rich," Bishop Cepeda was quoted as saying earlier.

Cepada was also accused of getting involved in a money-laundering scandal involving a $130 million loan to a businesswoman. He was also investigated for acquiring a wealthy church donor's art collection which contained works by renowned artists such as Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, and Francisco de Goya.

Though a formal complaint was filed against him with the Mexico City Attorney General’s Office, he was never arrested or convicted of any crime.