The bad news and bad press continues for the Roman Catholic Church as the sex abuse scandal in Europe shows no sign of abating. The significant difference from eight years ago when the scandal in the USA first exploded in Boston is that in Europe a number of bishops are resigning rather than arrogantly remaining in office. It is an interesting testament about U.S. Catholics - and not a positive one - that unlike their European counterparts, they never strenuously demand and/or threaten to vote with their feet that tainted and guilty high clerics be required to suffer for their misdeeds. The latest bishop in Europe to resign is Bishop Walter Mixa of Augsburg (pictured at right). Mixa had been accused of hitting children in his care and misusing money donated to an orphanage. Here are highlights from CNN on Mixa's resignation:*
The pope has accepted the resignation of a German bishop who had offered to step down last month after he was accused of hitting children in his care and misusing money donated to an orphanage. A statement from the Vatican on Saturday confirmed the resignation of Bishop Walter Mixa of Augsburg.
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In accepting the resignation, the Vatican cited a section of canon law that allows a member of the clergy to resign "because of illness or some other grave reason" or if he has "become unsuited for the fulfillment of his office."
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The Catholic Church across Europe has been reeling from accusations of physical and sexual abuse by clergy members, and Mixa is the latest in a string of bishops to resign.
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One can hope that Mixa is given some plush appointment as was the case with Cardinal Law formerly Archbishop of Boston. Sadly, too many U.S. bishops implicated in the enabling of and cover up of sexual predator priests failed to do the right thing and resign.
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