Vatican City, Jul 1, 2010 / 10:54 am
Bishop Emeritus of Augsburg, Walter Mixa spoke privately with Pope Benedict XVI on Thursday about the situation surrounding his removal from the episcopate nearly two months ago. A note released about the meeting illustrates a "truly beautiful example" from the Pope on how to address problems within the Church.
Pope Benedict XVI accepted Bishop Mixa's resignation just a matter of weeks after he submitted his papers on April 22. He resigned after reports surfaced that he had slapped orphans in the 1980s and misused Church funds destined for the orphanage.
According to a statement from the Holy See's Press Office recognizing Thursday's meeting with the Pope, Bishop Mixa stressed during the audience that he had always attempted to carry out his ministry "well and conscientiously."
"But in all sincerity and humility," continues the Vatican communique, "he also confirmed the recognition of having committed mistakes and errors, that caused a loss of faith and made his resignation inevitable."