With a letter to former students of the Berlin Canisius College, its rector, Father Klaus Mertes, has triggered a nationwide debate on sexual abuse. In an interview with the Catholic News Agency (KNA) on Wednesday in Berlin, Mertes spoke about his expectations for the Round Table against Child Abuse, which will meet for the first time on Friday.
CBA: Father Mertes, what do you hope for from the round table?
Mertes: I hope for two things: on the one hand, suggestions and reflections on the keyword prevention; on the other hand, greater clarity on the topic of compensation, the – I prefer to put it this way – recognition of the inflicted suffering on a financial level. Finding a common solution would be very desirable – together with the other orders, churches, with all other – also state – sponsors of schools and other educational institutions where abuse can happen. For us, for example, it would be a great help if there were a nationwide uniform clarification, for example, for possible lump-sum payments.
CBA: One contentious ie in dealing with abuse cases is mandatory reporting. What is your position?
Mertes: It is undisputed that there is such a duty to report certain crimes and that the church, for its part, does not want to set up parallel criminal proceedings with the intention of replacing state criminal proceedings. However, I am skeptical about a general duty to report, as are the victims' associations with which I have contact, by the way. The prosecutor's office is not a victim protection organization. In the interest of victim protection, it would therefore be necessary to look at what reporting obligations mean for victims and their opportunities to speak out.
CBA: Independently of the Round Table, the inner-church debate on how to deal with abuse cases continues. Are the preconditions for the purification of the church demanded by many bishops in place??
Mertes: I believe that the reports of the victims are a very great opportunity for the Church to look at itself from a critical perspective. This allows for self-examination and, where necessary, self-renewal.
CBA: There are also many priests who now fear a sterile pastoral care. Is this fear justified?
Mertes: The most important thing is not to be dependent on fears for oneself in pastoral care. When a child comes to me, confides in me, throws himself into my arms sobbing, then I can let him cry in my arms. Abuse also has to do with a lack of sovereignty. Abuse of power is extremely unsovereign behavior. Conversely, however, I can accept trust if I can always disclose what I am living at the same time.
KNA: What practical consequences has your school drawn for prevention work from the reappraisal so far?
Mertes: One institution alone is overburdened with prevention and processing of abuse. That is why cooperation is important. We are currently in the process of establishing contacts with victim protection organizations such as Tauwetter and Wildwasser. In addition, the complaints procedures need to be thought through once again. Promoting regular reflection on closeness and distance behavior in the teaching profession also seems to me to be a key ie. Interview: Birgit Wilke