Pope's diocese accused of housing abusive priest | Europe | Deutsche Welle | 12.03.2010
As an archbishop in Germany in the 1980s, current Pope Benedict XVI accepted a known paedophile priest into his diocese. The priest later sexually abused minors again. Pope Benedict XVI, in his position as bishop of Munich and Freising, approved the re-housing of a priest accused of child sex abuse in his diocese in 1980, it was revealed Friday. "It was decided in 1980 to give H. [the priest] accommodation in a rectory so that he could receive therapy. The archbishop took part in this decision," the diocese of Munich and Freising said in a statement. The diocese confirmed that the priest in question was in Munich to undergo therapy after sexually abusing young boys. According to the German daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung, he was accused of forcing an 11-year old boy to perform oral sex. Known paedophile allowed to work with children The priest was later returned to pastoral work. Archbishop Josef Ratzinger - now Pope Benedict - was unaware of the move at the time, according to his former diocese.
Pope Benedict XVI, in his position as bishop of Munich and Freising, approved the re-housing of a priest accused of child sex abuse in his diocese in 1980, it was revealed Friday.
"It was decided in 1980 to give H. [the priest] accommodation in a rectory so that he could receive therapy. The archbishop took part in this decision," the diocese of Munich and Freising said in a statement.
The diocese confirmed that the priest in question was in Munich to undergo therapy after sexually abusing young boys. According to the German daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung, he was accused of forcing an 11-year old boy to perform oral sex.
Known paedophile allowed to work with children
The priest was later returned to pastoral work. Archbishop Josef Ratzinger - now Pope Benedict - was unaware of the move at the time, according to his former diocese.
