German prosecutors investigate leading bishop for abetting abuse

June 03, 2010

The president of Germany’s episcopal conference is under investigation for a 1987 decision to transfer a priest who had committed abuse to another parish. Archbishop Robert Zollitsch of Freiburg was personnel director of the archdiocese when the transfer occurred.

Denouncing the accusations as sensationalist, archdiocesan officials said that Archbishop Zollitsch was not aware until 2006 that the priest had committed abuse, at which point he alerted Church officials in Switzerland, where the priest was ministering. The archdiocese added that the priest’s religious order (the Cistercians), and not Archbishop Zollitsch, was responsible for the 1987 parish assignment.

 

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Further information:

• Catholic abuse scandal hits head of German Church (Reuters)
• German Prosecutors Investigate Bishop's Actions (Wall Street Journal)