Divinity Atlas

Sacred Correspondences
Sign In
Text size
100%
Theme
Abuse Inquiries and Response Policies

University of Munster Study on Abuse in the Diocese of Munster

Munster Abuse Study

An independent study of abuse in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Munster, conducted by a University of Munster research team, a social anthropologist and four historians led by Prof. Thomas Grossbolting and Prof. Klaus Grosse Kracht, and presented 13 June 2022. Funded by the diocese at approximately 1.3 million euros, the two year study began 1 October 2019 and examined 1945 to 2020, documenting at least 196 accused clergy (183 priests, one permanent deacon, 12 brothers) and at least 610 victims, about three quarters boys and one quarter girls, both figures named as floors the researchers expect are considerably higher. The team found a massive failure of leadership across successive diocesan administrations: only 12 percent of accused clergy were ever removed from ministry, and most were merely relocated without restriction on their pastoral activities.

Facts
Documented Findings
Accused Documented
196 1
The team's own breakdown: 183 priests, one permanent deacon and 12 brothers, likewise named as a floor.
Victim Estimate
610 1
The research team's own tally across 1945 to 2020, named as a floor the researchers expect is considerably higher; about three quarters were boys, one quarter girls.
Key Finding
The team documented a massive failure of leadership across successive diocesan administrations: only 12 percent of accused clergy were ever removed from ministry, and most were merely relocated to new assignments without restriction on their pastoral activities. 2
Inquiry Profile
Kind of Record
Church-Commissioned Report 1
Jurisdiction
Diocese of Munster, Germany 1
Commissioned By
Diocese of Munster, funding a University of Munster research team led by Prof. Thomas Grossbolting and Prof. Klaus Grosse Kracht 1
Publication Year
2022 1
Period Covered, From
1945 to 2020 1
Connections

Associated With

Germany, Countries
Source Sexual Abuse in the Diocese of Munster: At Least 196 Clerics Are Accused (University of Munster)

Belongs to Tradition

Source Sexual Abuse in the Diocese of Munster: At Least 196 Clerics Are Accused (University of Munster)
In the Other Atlases

Found In

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Sources
1. Sexual Abuse in the Diocese of Munster: At Least 196 Clerics Are Accused (University of Munster)
University of Munster, 2022University of Munster news release, Sexual Abuse in the Diocese of Munster: At Least 196 Clerics Are Accused
Quote, University of Munster news release, Sexual Abuse in the Diocese of Munster: At Least 196 Clerics Are Accused
at least 196 clerics from the diocese of Munster, specifically, 183 priests, a permanent deacon and 12 brothers in an order long under the authority of the bishop, are said to have committed acts of sexual abuse against minors
View the Source
2. German Catholic Priests Sexually Abused Over 600 Victims, New Study Finds (CNN)
Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first to share a thought.
Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.