Hungary's Catholic Church says that a bishop whose diocese is being
investigated by police and prosecutors for fraud and other crimes has
resigned.
The Hungarian Conference of Catholic Bishops says that
Pope Benedict XVI has accepted the resignation of Mihaly Mayer and named
Andras Veres to temporarily oversee his duties in the Diocese of Pecs,
in southern Hungary.
A statement released Wednesday says Mayer's
resignation is based upon an article of church law which asks bishops to
relinquish their post if they have become "less able to fulfil their
office."
The Somogy County Prosecutor's Office says the
investigation into activities of the diocese led by Mayer since 1989 has
been ongoing for several months.
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