US cleric resigns amid scandal

POPE Benedict XVI accepted the resignation of Philadelphia archbishop Cardinal Justin Rigali yesterday, sending him into retirement as the archdiocese faces accusations that it covered up a long-running priest sex abuse scandal.

The pope named Denver Archbishop Charles Chaput, of the US bishops conservative wing, to succeed him.

The brief Vatican announcement said the resignation of the 76-year-old Rigali was because of his age. He submitted it on his 75th birthday in April 2010, as required by church law, but the pope did not immediately act on it.