Report: German Protestant bishop set to resign amid abuse allegations

Report: Bishop to resign amid abuse allegations

BERLIN — A German news agency is reporting that the first woman elected as a Lutheran bishop is resigning amid allegations of failing to thoroughly investigate sexual abuse cases.

The news agency DAPD, citing an anonymous source, reported Friday that the Protestant Bishop of Hamburg, Maria Jepsen, is set to announce her resignation.

A church official confirmed that Jepsen will hold a press conference Friday afternoon, but wouldn’t elaborate.

The 65-year-old bishop recently came under fire because she allegedly knew about cases of sexual abuse for several years, but failed to act.

Jepsen was elected Lutheran bishop in 1992, becoming the first woman worldwide to hold the post.