Swedish bishop ‘ready to resign’ over handling of abuse allegation

April 26, 2010

Less than two weeks after he urged victims of clerical abuse to come forward so that “the guilty priests-- if they are still alive-- can receive just punishment for the crimes they have committed,” Sweden’s sole bishop says he is ready to resign amid claims that he failed in 2003 to address an abuse allegation adequately. A woman alleges that after she informed the bishop she had been abused by a priest who was having an affair with her mother, she was referred to a therapist.

“As a bishop I take full responsibility for that and am prepared to face the consequences,” said Bishop Anders Arborelius. “If it is due to me that it was not investigated, I am ready to face the consequences and ask the Pope to relieve me from my work as a bishop.”

 

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Further information:

• Bishop 'ready to resign' over sex abuse silence (The Local)
• Sweden's bishop asks forgiveness, urges abuse victims to come forward (CWN, 4/14)