The auxiliary bishop was accused by a parish priest of covering up cases of sexual abuse of minors by a priest who died in 2019.
The case had prompted the intervention of the diocese’s bishop, Heiner Wilmer, who asked the accuser Matthias Eggers, parish priest of Wolfenbuttel, to tone down tensions.
The situation appeared to have calmed down until the pope’s decision was announced on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Francis’ tour of Southeast Asia continues as the pontiff arrived in Singapore on Wednesday for the fourth and final leg of his 12-day Apostolic Journey.
The trip has also taken the 87-year-old pontiff to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and East Timor.
Francis was greeted with a welcome ceremony at Singapore’s ‘Changi’ International Airport.
The only appointment on his schedule on Wednesday is a private meeting with his fellow Jesuits.
On Thursday, the pope will visit the president, the prime minister and the former prime minister before presiding over Holy Mass at the Singapore National Stadium.
ANSA
