German Catholic archbishop offers resignation on return from timeout
Berlin, GermanyAP A prominent Roman Catholic archbishop who faced strong criticism for his handling of the church’s sexual abuse scandal in Germany said Wednesday that he has offered his resignation to Pope Francis following a “spiritual timeout” granted by the pontiff. Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki, the Archbishop of Cologne, marked his return to work with […]
Pope rejects German Archbishop’s resignation over abuse
Berlin, GermanyAP Pope Francis has rejected the resignation of the Archbishop of Hamburg, who offered to step down in March after a report faulted him for his handling of sexual abuse allegations in his previous diocese. The papal nuncio’s office in Berlin said in a statement Wednesday that the pontiff made his decision after two […]
Top German bishop laments “scandalous” image of church
Berlin, GermanyAP The head of the German Bishops’ Conference said Thursday that the country’s Roman Catholic church is suffering from a “scandalous image” amid mounting anger over the Cologne Archbishop’s handling of a report on past sexual abuse by clergy, but he defended its overall record in addressing the issue. The Cologne Archbishop, Cardinal Rainer […]