New abuse charges against retired Dutch bishop

November 17, 2011

Dutch police have resumed their investigation of a retired Catholic bishop on sex-abuse charges, after receiving "alarming" new reports from authorities in Ireland.

Bishop Cornelius Schilder has been accused of molesting young men while he served as a bishop in Kenya. He resigned his post in the Ngong diocese in 2009, citing health reasons. But there were rumors that the Vatican had demanded his resignation, and the Mill Hill missionary order, of which he is a member, later revealed that he had been suspended from ministry, lending credence to the abuse charges.

Earlier this year the attorney general of the Netherlands said that he could not pursue charges against Bishop Schilder because he had not received any formal complaint. But Interpol has now urged the Dutch prosecutor to resume his investigation, reporting new allegations against the prelate.

In the latest reports the retired bishop is identified only as "Cor. S." The use of initials is puzzling, since he was fully identified in many earlier media reports.

 

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Further information:

• Dutch police on the hunt for evidence against paedophile bishop (Vatican Insider)
• Dutch bishop may escape criminal charges for abuse in Kenyan mission assignment (CWN, 7/29)