Pope Benedict XVI has accepted the resignation of a German bishop accused of hitting children.
Bishop Walter Mixa of Augsburg said in his resignation letter last month that his diocese needed a new start.
The bishop at first denied hitting children at an orphanage in the 1970s and 1980s, but later apologised.
He has not been accused of sexual abuse, although prosecutors say they are investigating other, unspecified, accusations.
A short, Vatican announcement on Saturday cited no reason for accepting Bishop Mixa's resignation.
The Catholic Church is under severe pressure over accusations of child sexual abuse emerging around the world.
