The German Catholic diocese of Wuerzburg has sent two priests on leave following allegations of the sexual abuse of children, church officials said Sunday."The diocese is taking the allegations seriously and will do everything towards a rapid inquiry," vicar-general Karl Hillenbrand said in a statement.
The allegations come one day after Pope Benedict XVI accepted the resignation of embattled bishop Walter Mixa, who is also embroiled in controversy over allegations of abuse.
In recent months hundreds of cases have emerged which involve alleged sexual or physical abuse in Catholic schools between the 1950s and the 1980s.
In March, an ombudsman was appointed to investigate abuse cases that lie outside the statute of limitations.
A 62-year-old priest from the diocese is alleged to have sexually abused a 17-year-old boy in 1985, and a 59-year-old currently serving in Wuerzburg is accused of abusing children in a neighbouring diocese.
SIC: ET