Bishop Walter Mixa, 69, presented his resignation last April 21 from the Diocese of Augsburg and Germany’s military ordinariate. Two weeks later, the Pope accepted his request.
The prelate was accused of physically and sexually abusing minors, and financial mismanagement. Augsburg prosecutors cleared him of the sexual abuse allegations in May after an investigation.
The Pope met with Bishop Mixa in a July 1 audience, during which the Pontiff confirmed the prelate’s retirement.
A Vatican communiqué stated Bishop Mixa will «retire for a time of silence, meditation and prayer and, following a period of cure and reconciliation will, like other bishops emeritus, be available for pastoral duties, with the agreement of his successor.»
The successor, Bishop Zdarsa, was named today by the Holy Father.
Born in Hainichen, Konrad Zdarsa was ordained a priest in 1974 for the Diocese of Dresden-Meissen. In 2007 he was appointed and ordained bishop of Görlitz.
The Augsburg Diocese has 1,389,446 Catholics, served by 1,074 priests, 147 permanent deacons, and 2,199 religious.
