An archbishop accused of protecting sexually abusive priests has resigned, with Pope Francis appointing an administrator to oversee his archdiocese until a succ

The resignation of Monsignor Aldo di Cillo Pagotto, the archbishop of Paraiba in the country's north east, was accepted by the pontiff under an area of canon law permitting clergy to retire early for "grave" reasons deeming them unfit for office.

In a statement posted on its website, the Vatican gave no further detail other than to say: "Pope Francis accepted the resignation from the pastoral governance of the Archdiocese of Paraíba (Brazil), presented by Mons. Aldo di Cillo Pagotto, SSS, in accordance with can. 401 § 2 of the Code of Canon Law."

Monsignor Pagotto confessed in a letter he had made errors and he admitted allowing into the archdioceses clergy members who had committed "serious errors."

Blaming his own "merciful ingenuousness", he claimed he did so because he wanted to offer the priests and seminarians another chance.

New powers unveiled by Pope Francis last month for the expulsion of bishops who protect paedophiles will not come into effect until September.