The bishop of Augsburg, Walter Mixa, who has been accused of child abuse in the 1970s and 1980s, has made an apology to victims of abuse in the church.

Bishop Mixa said in a statement that "it hurts my heart that so many people have been caused grief. I ask for forgiveness." However he failed to give any further explanation.

Mixa is accused of severely physically abusing children decades ago, when he was pastor of a children's orphanage in Schrobenhausen.

He has previously strongly rejected the accusations that he used any kind of violence against children, but later acknowledged that he may have slapped some of them.

The prominent bishop made the statement after meeting with the priest council in his Augsburg diocese in southern Germany. It said the council "shares the concern of many about the credibility of our church."

Financial misconduct allegations

The allegations against Mixa were raised in late March, and the bishop has been under pressure to address them. In early April, he denied the accusations and offered to meet with those who accused him, to speak of their "memories, experiences, criticisms" of their time at Schrobenhausen.

He added he was "deeply shaken by the allegations."

In addition to the accusations of physical abuse, Bishop Mixa is being investigated for alleged financial irregularities. Payments to the orphanage foundation, signed by Mixa, for 55,000 deutschmarks (28,200 euros or $37,900) are missing receipts or invoices and there is no evidence who cashed them.

The investigation is also focusing on Mixa's expensive art collection and other artefacts and pieces of jewellery, all apparently bought by the foundation.

cb/dpa/AP
Editor: Chuck Penfold