Pope accepts resignation of Poznan archbishop accused of sexual misconduct

Pope John Paul II has accepted the resignation of Archbishop Juliusz Paetz, head of the diocese of Poznan, the Vatican announced yesterday. The Archbish op's position was brought into question over a month ago when the daily Rzec zpospolita made public accusations that he sexually harassed young clerics a nd seminarians. In announcing his resignation, Paetz again denied the charge s. He said he had refused the Pope's proposal of "high and prestigious posit ions" in the Vatican. The new head of the Poznan diocese will be Bishop Stan islaw Gadecki. (Rzeczpospolita, p. A1) M.K