The Limburg Diocese said Bishop Georg Baetzing approved Roesch’s request with immediate effect.
In a statement, the diocese quoted Roesch as saying that he became aware in 2015 of allegations that May had acted inappropriately with adults. Roesch said he met with May and one of the accusers, describing the move as “a mistake.”
He also concluded that the allegations were untrue and failed to inform Baetzing of them before the bishop appointed May to head the seminary.
“This, too, was a mistake,” the diocese quoted Roesch as saying. “I ask forgiveness from all those who have been affected and hurt by my misconduct.”
Claudia Burgsmueller, who heads an independent commission tasked with investigating allegations of sexual abuse in the diocese, said Roesch’s resignation was a “positive sign” that mistakes in handling such cases would have consequences.