Bavarian bishops pray for abuse victims

BAD STAFFELSTEIN, Germany — A prominent archbishop called today for justice for sexual abuse victims in Germany’s Roman Catholic Church, saying they need to feel they can finally speak openly about their suffering.

Reinhard Marx, the archbishop of Munich and Freising, said Catholic bishops in the southern German state of Bavaria — the homeland of Pope Benedict XVI — felt “deep consternation and shame” over the reports of abuse of children in church-run schools and institutions in past weeks.

“The priority is the search for the truth and achieving an open atmosphere that will give the victims courage to speak about what happened to them,” Marx told reporters following a meeting with Bavarian bishops.

Marx said the bishops had agreed to investigate each claim and would contact authorities in cases where sexual or physical abuse is suspected.

The statements come as the German church continues to grapple with the magnitude of abuse claims; since the first victims came forward in January, at least 300 others have said they suffered sexual or physical abuse at the hands of priests.

In Ireland, which has been shaken by an even wider crisis over child abuse, a Catholic bishop today ordered a priest to remain silent about his views that church officials should not tell police about child abusers within the priesthood.

Bishop Dermot Clifford said Monsignor Maurice Dooley, an expert in Catholic canon law, must not speak publicly again about his understanding of the church’s rules on confidentiality.

“I want to state that all concerns that come to light are reported fully and without delay to the state authorities,” Clifford said.

Dooley has repeatedly spoken out in defense of Irish Cardinal Sean Brady, a former classmate and fellow canon-law expert who is facing pressure to resign because he failed to tell police about his knowledge of one of Ireland’s worst pedophiles.

Victims in Austria and the Netherlands have also come forward with claims of abuse, deepening a crisis in the church and triggering charges the pontiff is avoiding comment on the issue.

“If the pope himself doesn’t take a stance, apologize for what Rome has committed over the past decades in terms of cover-up — then our believers will become even more disappointed than they already are,” Father Udo Fischer, who heads a parish in the Lower Austrian village of Paudorf told the ORF public broadcaster.

“Jesus would certainly not have kept quiet,” Fischer said.

Robert Zollitsch, the head of Germany’s Bishops Conference, met the pontiff last week and insisted in a letter today to Die Welt newspaper that the pope has repeatedly made clear his position on sexual abuse.

“I know from my discussion with the pope how deeply appalled he is by the sexual abuse of children by priests, especially in Germany,” Zollitsch wrote.

Benedict spoke out repeatedly against sexual abuse during his 2008 trip to the United States. He called the crisis then a cause of “deep shame,” pledged to keep pedophiles out of the priesthood and decried the “enormous pain” that communities have suffered from priests’ “gravely immoral behavior.”

Zollitsch noted that Benedict is the pontiff for all Catholics, not just those in Germany, and his previous statements on the issue remain valid.

“His words retain their weight, even if they are not constantly repeated,” Zollitsch wrote.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

District 2 candidates differ in public safety approach

Incumbent Paula Rhyne is facing challenger Ryan Crowther. The third candidate, Jonathan Shapiro, is no longer seeking the seat.

From left to right, Edmonds City Council Position 3 candidates Joseph Ademofe, Alex Newman and Erika Barnett.
Amid budget crisis, Edmonds City Council candidates talk revenue, affordability

Three newcomers are facing off for Position 3 on the council, currently held by council President Neil Tibbott.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Everett
Everett approves new fines for non-emergency lifts

The fire department will only issue fines for non-emergency lift assists at licensed care facilities, not for individuals at home calling 911.

Guns for sale at Caso’s Gun-A-Rama in Jersey City, New Jersey, which has been open since 1967. (Photo by Aristide Economopoulos/New Jersey Monitor)
After suing, WA gets carveout from Trump administration plan to return gun conversion devices

The Trump administration has agreed to not distribute devices that turn semi-automatic… Continue reading

The Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility about 16 miles east of Ellensburg in central Washington is part of Puget Sound Energy’s clean energy portfolio. (Courtesy of Puget Sound Energy)
Megabill’s elimination of tax credits for clean energy projects could cost WA $8.7 billion

Washington households could see electricity costs increase $115 per year by 2029; 21,800 workers could lose their jobs by 2030, analysts say.

Everett mayor candidates focus on affordability, city budget in costly race

As incumbent Cassie Franklin seeks a third term in office, three candidates are looking to unseat her.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.