German bishop, accused of thrashing orphans wrote to Pope offering to resign

German bishop, accused of thrashing orphans wrote to Pope offering to resignThe diocese said on Thursday that the bishop of Augsburg, Germany, accused of thrashing orphans with a carpet beater, wrote to Pope Benedict XVI offering to resign.

The diocese also said that Walter Mixa, 68, told the pope in his letter that his diocese needed a "new start."

He would also resign as bishop of the German armed forces, he said.

Der Spiegel has reported that Mixa's letter followed the recommendation by two German archbishops that Mixa "take some time out for spiritual contemplation and physical distance to enable an atmosphere of greater objectivity" to clarify accusations against him.

It was also reported that Mixa is accused of hitting orphan children in the 1970s and 1980s when he was a parish priest and chaplain of a children's home in Schrobenhausen, about 20 miles northeast of Augsburg.

At least six former residents of the Catholic children's home accused Mixa of hitting them with his fists, sticks, wooden spoons and carpet beaters.

According to the official reports, Mixa initially denied ever using violence against the children but later acknowledged he may have slapped them.

The Times of London also reported that he is also accused of using church funds to buy artwork.

The claims against him are being investigated by a special investigator and a Munich, Germany, lawyer.

Mixa's resignation offer comes as a German opinion poll indicates 45 percent of German Catholics believe the pope is doing a poor job and 20 percent say they are considering leaving the church.

The Times also said that the number of Catholics in Germany dropped to 25 million in 2009 from 28 million in 1991, with the steepest decline reported in the five years since Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger assumed the papacy. (With Inputs from Agencies)