In the archdiocese of Munich almost 500 minors victims of abuse, Ratzinger is also under accusation

At least 497 children or adolescents, almost all male and aged between 8 and 14, have been sexually abused in the archdiocese of Munich and Freising, Germany.

Martin Pusch explained this by reading in Munich the report on the constant abuses that would go on for over 70 years, from 1945 to 2019, in the German archdiocese.

An earthquake that shakes the Vatican and risks devastating the German archdiocese, as well as pointing the finger at Pope Emeritus Joseph Ratzinger, archbishop of Munich and Freising from 1977 to 1982.

The people involved in the abuses are at least 235: 173 priests, 9 deacons, 5 pastoral representatives, 48 people in the school environment.

The Pope Emeritus is accused of erroneous behavior in 4 cases, relating to the period in which he was archbishop: at the time of the facts, according to the report, he did not undertake anything against four religious accused of abuses. In two cases they are religious whose abuses were documented by state courts, yet the two priests remained active and no action was taken against them. Furthermore, the report reads, "Ratzinger's interest in the victims was not discernible."

The Pope Emeritus rejected the accusations, arguing that he had not committed errors of behavior in the cases indicated in the report. But the lawyers of the same report consider Ratzinger's denial "not very credible", who claimed not to be present at an important session in 1980, in which it was decided to take a pedophile priest in the archbishopric of Munich and use him in the care of souls .

Marion Westpahl, presenting the report, also stigmatized the lack of presence of Cardinal Reinhard Marx, the current archbishop who is accused of behavioral errors relating to two cases: "The cardinal is not present at this conference, we invited him but he decided not to come . Of course we deplore this choice ”.

The Vatican also intervened on the matter, spokesman Matteo Bruni spoke to journalists: “The Holy See - he said - believes it must give due attention to the document, of which at the moment it does not know the content. In the coming days, following its publication, you will read it and will be able to appropriately examine the details. In reiterating the sense of shame and remorse for the abuse of minors committed by clerics, the Holy See ensures closeness to all the victims and confirms the path taken to protect the little ones by guaranteeing them safe environments ".

(Unioneonline / L)