U.S. Catholic bishop resigns after investigation of abuse cover-up

FILE PHOTO: A general view of St. Peter’s square, after Pope Francis was hospitalised for a respiratory infection, at the Vatican March 30, 2023. REUTERS/Yara Nardi/File Photo

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis on Tuesday accepted the resignation of the bishop of Knoxville, Tennessee following a Vatican investigation triggered by a rebellion by priests and allegations that the bishop mishandled a sexual abuse investigation.

The one-line statement from the Vatican gave no reason for the resignation of Bishop Richard Stika, who has denied any wrongdoing.