Bishop Resigns Over Assault Allegations

The North Coast’s most prominent Roman Catholic leader has resigned over allegations of sexual assault.

Bishop Patrick Ziemann resigned Wednesday after a former Ukiah priest filed a lawsuit making the accusation, the Santa Rosa Press Democrat reported Thursday.

Ziemann led the 140,000-member Diocese of Santa Rosa.

He was in seclusion and unavailable for comment. Church representatives vehemently denied the accusations, saying the bishop decided to quit “for the good of the diocese.”

“The bishop has refused to buy his reputation and peace of mind from this man at the price of millions from the people of this diocese,” said Joe Piasta, Ziemann’s attorney.

The charges were brought by the Rev. Jorge Hume, who was removed by Ziemann from St. Mary’s in Ukiah in 1996 after the priest admitted stealing church money. In a complaint filed Friday in Sonoma County Superior Court, Hume alleged a series of sexual abuses by the bishop over a two-year period.

Hume said the bishop demanded sex in exchange for his silence about Hume’s theft.

Santa Rosa police said they were investigating Hume’s allegations.

Archbishop William Levada of San Francisco will oversee the Santa Rosa Diocese until a new bishop is appointed.