Pope Francis on Wednesday accepted the resignation of Buffalo bishop Richard Malone, the former head of the Catholic Church in Maine.

It follows widespread criticism from his staff, priests and the public over his handling of allegations of clergy sexual misconduct.

The Portland Press Herald reports the Diocese of Buffalo has been named in more than 220 recent lawsuits by people who claim they were sexually abused by priests.

Many of the claims date back decades, long before Malone’s arrival in Buffalo in 2012.

Malone served as bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland from 2004 until 2012.