The church official who initially said it was his fault that a paedophile priest was given succour in Pope Benedict XVI’s former diocese has broken ranks, alleging he was bullied into taking responsibility to protect the pontiff.
Gerhard Gruber was Joseph Ratzinger’s general vicar in Munich during the 1980s, when Ratzinger, now Pope, was Archbishop.
Ratzinger chaired the meeting which decided to offer paedophile priest Peter H., a safe haven in Munich. The priest was also given further positions of trust in the church, and was later convicted of further child abuse.
Gruber’s friends have told Der Spiegel news magazine that when the story came to light last month, he was under immense pressure to take responsibility for the decision in order to shield the Pope from accusations of having helped a paedophile.
The magazine wrote that he was urgently “requested” to take full responsibility in order to take the Pope “out of the firing line.”
He wrote in a letter to a friend that he had been faxed a statement that he was to make, though he had been given the opportunity to suggest changes.
Gruber issued a statement in March which said, “The repeated employment of H. in priestly spiritual duties was a bad mistake. I assume all responsibility.”
The implication from the bishopric that Gruber had acted alone in offering help to the paedophile priest, and not turned him over to the police, has greatly upset him, the magazine wrote.
The Catholic church’s handling of repeated child abuse allegations in Germany and beyond has prompted repeated calls for bishops to resign for either not reporting claims to secular authorities, or for making light of charges made by victims.
The latest bishop under such pressure is Heinrich Mussinghoff, bishop of Aachen, whose handling of an abuse claim has been heavily criticised by a child protection group.
The Initiative Against Violence and Sexual Abuse of Children and Youths accuses Mussinghoff of ignoring claims made this January by a 19-year-old man that he was sexually abused as a child by the bishopric’s head of personnel.
Nothing has been done about the man’s claims, the initiative’s spokesman Johannes Heibel said.
“Those responsible should resign because the church has not met its own promises, despite a months-long debate over sexual abuse,” he said.
The accused priest, named only as Georg K., is said to have regularly abused the man and others, even making videos and photos of the abuse. The man’s family has not yet been contacted by anyone from the bishopric, having made the claims.
When Der Spiegel contacted the bishopric for a comment, it was told, “The boy should have contacted us, not us him.”
The Local (news@thelocal.de)
Hi Sieglinde.
Congratulations on standing up to the Church and its inmates. .
Kathleen O’Malley.
Dear Pauline
I appreciate your sensitivity. Like in Ireland, German people were also aware of the abuse and did nothing.
All we, the Irish and the German victims, can do is fight for Justice.
Sieglinde
hello sieglinde I have read your links and the only thing i can say is congratulations to you for being alive to bear witness .in 50 or so years time history will resee all this and its very important that people such as you tell the truth about the risks of trusting fanatics with innocent children .we in Ireland were condemned to be abused as all were aware of the conditions
Pauline,
you are right, the Germans are stuck with the manipulators, the one who preach righteousness and condemn others for their sin. These are the perpetrators, and these are the one who will not pay to victims.
two stories from thousands:
http://www.aaacworld.org/publication/art_st4.htm
and
http://www.aaacworld.org/publication/The%20life%20of%20an%20orphan%20in%20Germany.htm
The sad part is, the government will cover the churches again, and insult victims again.
Sieglinde
ITS REALLY CHOCKING THAT PEOPLE IN GERMANY HAVE TO KEEP THESE GUYS. WE ALL KNOW THE EFFECTS OF TRYING TO BE HONEST ABOUT ALL THAT . BUBLIC OPINION CAN HAVE A VERY NEGATIF EFFECT. ITS TAKES COURAGE TO BE A FREE THINKER.bUT SINCE ITS THE STATE RUNNING THINGS IT MAKES IT VERY DIFFERCULT.THERE HAS TO BE SOME WAY OF CHANGING THINGS
thay also have a very strong inflounce on the use of birth control . by frightening people with a revengfull god.thay cause a lot of fear. its thier main arm .
I believe Austrians are obliged to contribute to the upkeep of the Catholic Churches.
England and Ireland and probably other EEC Countries are not.
It is now time for Catholics to refuse to comply with these evil Paedophile Priest by unsubscribing to their wealthy standard of living.
We live in a democratic society and do not have to do anything we do not wish to.
Public humilation is a cowards way to get what they want, I say be strong and stand up for what you believe.
Kathleen O’Malley.
Public Forms and Religion
One of the problems of declaring not to make a contribution to the church in Germany while in employment there is also as follows…….
You tick the box on the form to offer Zero percent of your salary and by doing so, you know that the HR department must be aware of your non religious status and this could bring secret retribution on you from the many people within that department who silently object to persons who will not sub ordinate themselves to any or a particular church. I gave my contribution to the Jewish church.
Recently, I had to go to hospital following a small accident. The admin woman called me out and asked me out loud in front of many people to status my religious affiliation publicially. It was to my amazement that I heard this question and then I realised that many places are still living under religious pretense. In fact the admin lady didn’t give damn but the lurking A&E patients looked puzzled.
Jeasus, to be honest, in this day and age to be asking people to act to deny religious affiliation or donation publically, is a bit fresh to say the least.
Just remember, the longer Ratzinger is in power, the shorter the future of religion & RTE propoganda and there is no stopping it now.
Well said Kathleen and Sieglinde.
It is just sickening. These people can never be trusted. They are vile.
Kathleen,
these are also my words: “I hold the followers of the Church responsible meaning the everyday people.”
But, my years of experience tells me that these followers are so deeply indoctrinated, brainwashed and manipulated that they believe, in spite of the presented evidence of abuse, they will go to hell if they don’t support the church.
Too many little innocent children become unknowingly and with out a choice, Catholics by baptism.
In Germany, you must formally deny (filing tax forms) any religion, otherwise the church-tax will be automatically deducted from your monthly salary. This important step is for many in Germany the hardest, because they are afraid of not making it to heaven.
Sieglinde
The Leaders of the Catholic Church will only awaken when Catholics refuse to support the Vatican financially and not attend the services.
I hold the followers of the Church responsible meaning the everyday people.
One does not have to enter a Church to pray or prove their beliefs. The silent worshiper is usually the more genunine and good.
No Catholic requires permission to leave the Church. This is a load of rubbish. Who cares if the Vatican ex communicates. I certainly don’t.
If one needs permission to leave, they are clearly not in control of their minds and still require guideance from Criminals.
Kathleen O’Malley.
protecting the pope and protecting the church seems to be the most important thing on this popes mind. in spite of all the harm done to all victims he still wants us to see him as the good guy .its shameful that he can still sit on his throne and feel superior. he is responsible and its about time he excepted this . that he cant relate to sexuality is a lie. who does he think he is .
Priest says he was bullied into taking fall for Pope in abuse scandal.
This confirms yet again the the Pope is “GUILTY” of this massive cover up. When is he and his evil Paedophile colleagues who call themselves Priests or Men of the Cloth be prosecuted for their crimes.
I personally felt sick when he visited the U.K. The worst was when he appeared in front of the young. What a set up. He looked senile and anyone allowing their Daughter or Son to be TOUCHED by him are either naive or stupid.
There should be a thorough investigation of the Catholic Church, its Priests and Nuns.
Kathleen O’Malley.
Paddy,
I’m so sick of all this lies and cover up.
Not much will be happen in Germany, because State and Church is one. The Germans even have to pay a monthly church-tax – the abused pay too.
The most coward act – the government and the church is hiding behind the statue of limitation. 800 000 children were in institutions (Lutheran and Catholic) and at least half of them are traumatized and damaged for life.
This cult cover up makes me vomit.
Sieglinde