Hildesheim Cathedral © Emily Wabitsch
Bishop Norbert Trelle © Holger Hollemann
The diocese of Hildesheim wants to have cases of sexual abuse investigated by an independent expert. Previously, calls for independent investigators had grown louder.
The expert should clarify whether there might be further cases of abuse by the former priest Peter R. gave, as the diocese communicated on Thursday in Hildesheim. In addition, he should investigate the handling of the diocese with the allegations. "The expert is to cooperate closely with the responsible public prosecutor's office. Who will be charged with the processing, the diocese hopes to be able to announce shortly," it continued.
German government abuse commissioner Johannes Wilhelm-Rorig welcomed diocese's decision. "I am glad that someone is now to be appointed to investigate the abuse affair involving the Rev. R. can clarify independently", he said to the "Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung" (Friday). Particularly in view of the uncertainty that has arisen, this creates "an opportunity for possible further victims to turn in confidence to an independent investigator to talk about injustices suffered, without institutional protection playing a role".
Rorig had recommended to the diocese on Wednesday to appoint an independent investigator. He said one has "a great responsibility to the victims, and indeed to those affected who have not yet had the courage to speak out". But these came forward only if they "have confidence in the institution". The diocese had apparently not been able to build this up so far. In addition to the abuse commissioner, the victims' council affiliated with his office also demanded full clarification from an independent source on Thursday.
WDR report was the bone of contention
The reason for the recommendation was a WDR report about the alleged abuse of a now 39-year-old woman by the former pastor Peter R. He is also considered one of the main perpetrators in the abuse scandal at the Berlin high school Canisius-Kolleg, which became known in January 2010. However, his acts there from the 1970s and 80s are now time-barred. He later worked in the diocese of Hildesheim for about 20 years.
The victim was the mother of a now 20-year-old woman from Hildesheim, who herself was a child of Peter R. had been abused. Your case had caused a nationwide sensation at the end of 2015. The diocese had not investigated the abuse allegations consistently enough in 2010 and had admitted these failures itself. At the same time, however, Bishop Norbert Trelle had rejected the accusation that they wanted to cover up the case.
Diocese: Only informed by third parties
In the case that has now come to light, the 39-year-old mother of the victim at the time described to WDR that "she too was abused from 1993 by Father R. had been sexually harassed". The diocese was "also informed about her case since September 2015," explained the woman concerned, according to WDR. One has "not made contact with it so far, though."
The diocese had said on Wednesday morning that it had so far only been informed by third parties about possible abuse. Through these informants, the woman concerned had been repeatedly asked to come forward, but so far she had not done so. Despite this lack of first-hand information, the diocese had called in the Berlin public prosecutor's office in January.