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	Pope Names New Head of Augsburg Diocese, Successor to Bishop Mixa By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service July 8, 2010 http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1002810.htm VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI named a new bishop to Germany's Augsburg Diocese, whose former bishop resigned in the wake of accusations of hitting students and financial impropriety. Bishop Konrad Zdarsa of Gorlitz will succeed Bishop Walter Mixa in the Diocese of Augsburg, the Vatican announced July 8. Bishop Mixa's resignation was accepted by the Vatican May 4. Bishop Zdarsa, 66, received his doctorate in canon law from Rome's Pontifical Gregorian University and served many years at the Diocese of Dresden-Meissen in a variety of capacities, including president of the diocesan Caritas. Bishop Mixa had been accused of hitting children during his time as a priest in charge of a children's home near Augsburg. He originally denied the claims, then admitted that he had perhaps "boxed the ears" of some of his wards. Bishop Mixa also faced accusations of misappropriation of funds from the children's home. German prosecutors also investigated Bishop Mixa for alleged sexual abuse of a minor when he was bishop of Eichstatt from 1996 to 2005 but dropped the investigation in May for lack of evidence. Pope Benedict met with Bishop Mixa in a private audience at the Vatican July 1. After the closed-door meeting, the Vatican said the bishop would "retreat for a period of silence, contemplation and prayer." After a period of "treatment and reconciliation," the Vatican statement said Bishop Mixa would be available for pastoral work authorized by his successor. The statement said the pope specifically asked German bishops to put aside ill feelings and help guide their brother "back to the right path."
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