At this point, I'm not sure I even know what the term "resign" means in a case like this.  Will there be a church trial?  Does this guy get a pension?  Will he be reassigned, say to an upgraded position in the Vatican?  What happens to his girlfriend and if appropriate, any kids they may have had together?  Does the local bishops' conference have any local powers over this guy, or is it all to be swept to Rome such that the people of that diocese will never know what really happened?  Based solely on this article, one could get the impression that the "real" issue for Rome here is the money... is that the case?

All in all, more questions here than answers.

I long for a day in the church when the people of the church can get answers to questions, rather than the stone wall...