The former Bishop of Verdun in eastern France, Jean-Paul Gusching (70), has been sanctioned by the Vatican.
The papal representation in France had received information about relationships with women, the nunciature announced in writing. This would be examined by the Vatican's episcopal dicastery.
It went on to say that despite Gusching's persistent rejection of the accusations and "the incomplete and contradictory nature of the information received", he had made a commitment to the prefect of the dicastery to avoid any behaviour towards women in future that could be "interpreted as a violation of his priestly obligations".
Pope Leo XIV, himself head of the bishop's dicastery until May, had accepted Gusching's resignation as Bishop of Verdun in September.
The 70-year-old had claimed that he had been in poor health for some time and required medical treatment.
"Precautionary measures"
The nunciature's statement now reads: "It is emphasised that the publicly cited health reasons for his resignation are only part of the motivation for the Holy Father's acceptance of his resignation."
As a "precautionary measure", Gusching was ordered to retire to a place outside his home diocese of Amiens and the diocese of Verdun and to refrain from any liturgical celebrations and public pastoral activities.
The Bishop Emeritus of Pontoise, Stanislas Lalanne, and the interim head of the diocese of Verdun, Archbishop Philippe Ballot of Metz, conducted a preliminary investigation under canon law.
Charges have been filed with the civil justice system. For the time being, the presumption of innocence applies.
Verdun was also the scene of a particularly serious sexual abuse scandal involving a priest in recent decades. He was accused in French media reports and in court of having sexually abused dozens of minors between 1950 and 1980.
One of his victims, Patrick Goujon, later became a priest himself and now teaches as a theology professor. He has autobiographically described and reflected on his painful experiences as a child.
His book entitled "Prière de ne pas abuser" (Please do not abuse), published in 2021, caused a stir in France at the time.
The accused priest was investigated by the French judiciary; however, he remained at large due to the statute of limitations for the offences.
It was not until 2020 that the Vatican imposed canonical penalties on the priest.