An independent report on abuse in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Munich and Freising, commissioned by the archdiocese in February 2020 from the law firm Westpfahl Spilker Wastl and released 20 January 2022. The 1,900-page report covers 1945 to 2019 and documents at least 497 victims (247 male, 182 female, most between 8 and 14 years old) abused by 235 identified individuals: 173 priests, 9 deacons, 5 pastoral workers and 48 people from the school environment. It found that retired Pope Benedict XVI, Archbishop of Munich from 1977 to 1982, had known of an abusive priest's continued ministry, a finding he initially disputed and then formally corrected days later, acknowledging he had in fact attended the 1980 meeting on the case.
Facts
Documented Findings
Accused DocumentedThe report's own breakdown: 173 priests, 9 deacons, 5 pastoral workers and 48 people from the school environment. Victim EstimateThe report's own tally: 497 victims, 247 male and 182 female, most between 8 and 14 years old, across the 1945 to 2019 period it examined. Key FindingThe report found that retired Pope Benedict XVI, as Archbishop of Munich from 1977 to 1982, knew of an abusive priest's continued ministry: he initially denied attending the 1980 meeting where the case was discussed, then formally corrected that denial days later, acknowledging he had in fact been present. 2 Inquiry Profile
Kind of RecordChurch-Commissioned Report 1 JurisdictionArchdiocese of Munich and Freising, Germany 1 Commissioned ByRoman Catholic Archdiocese of Munich and Freising, investigation conducted by the law firm Westpfahl Spilker Wastl 1 Publication Year Period Covered, From Connections
Associated With
Source Report on Abuse in Munich Diocese: 497 Victims in 74 Years (Vatican News)
Belongs to Tradition
Source Report on Abuse in Munich Diocese: 497 Victims in 74 Years (Vatican News)
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Sources
1. Report on Abuse in Munich Diocese: 497 Victims in 74 Years (Vatican News)
2. Pope Benedict XVI Knew of Abusive Priests When He Ran Munich Archdiocese, Investigators Say (CNN)
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