BERLIN (Reuters) – The Archbishop of Munich, Cardinal Reinhard Marx, apologised on Thursday to the victims of historic sexual abuse in his archdiocese after a report discovered fault together with his dealing with of the scandal in addition to with former Pope Benedict XVI.
“As the present archbishop, I apologise on behalf of the archdiocese for the struggling inflicted on folks within the space of the church in latest many years,” Marx stated in a press release.
Earlier, Munich legislation agency Westpfahl Spilker Wastl printed a report into allegations of sexual abuse within the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising between 1945 and 2019. The report, commissioned by the archdiocese, stated there have been at the least 497 victims of abuse, primarily younger males.
The report stated the archbishop, a number one progressive within the Church, had mishandled two suspected circumstances. He will not be below suspicion of getting participated in abuse or cover-ups.
Marx stated adjustments had already been began within the final 10 years however extra was wanted, and careworn the significance of pushing forward with the “Synodal Path”, a motion geared toward giving lay Catholics extra affect over the operating of the church.
“Now is the time to select up the momentum that the report offers and to take additional steps into the long run,” stated Marx whose provide of resignation final yr over the abuse disaster was rejected by Pope Francis.
Marx stated the archdiocese would fastidiously learn and analyse the report and current a full response subsequent week.
A spokesperson for Benedict didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark whereas the Vatican stated it will consider the total report and look at its particulars.
(Reporting by Madeline Chambers; Editing by Jon Boyle)
