Once again Cardinal Reinhard Marx has been sharply criticized by the Advisory Board of those affected in his archdiocese. Richard Kick, who, as a victim of sexual abuse, is a member of the advisory board founded a year ago, accuses Marx of having “not shown any activity” in dealing with the abuse scandal since the abuse report was published in January. “We, as those affected, are appalled by this inaction,” Kick writes in addition to an open letter to Marx.
In it, Kick states that, on the basis of the report and personal inspection of the files, there is now “clarity about the institutional failure, the mistakes and the omissions” in the Archdiocese of Munich. The Advisory Board calls on Marx to now “act actively, purposefully and very promptly”. In order not to further increase the suffering of many victims of sexualised violence, Marx had to “finally perceive these people with empathy”. Kick reports that the advisory board has been approached with dissatisfaction by believers, church bodies and church employees in view of the previous actions of the diocesan leadership in dealing with the abuse.
Advisory board member Richard Kick wishes for more empathy for those affected by Cardinal Marx.
(Photo: Thomas Marufke)
Kick had already attacked Marx publicly in January. The Advisory Board is now addressing several demands to Marx, starting with the fact that he should “make personal contact” with those affected. In addition, the archdiocese should set up an independent ombudsman as a “partisan interest group” for the injured. Marx should also arrange for “serious and appropriate” financial compensation, the current system with payments of up to a maximum of 50,000 euros is not sufficient. “Strengthen the advisory board for those affected,” is one demand. The body needs more human and financial resources.
The Advisory Board with its four members, including a priest, works on an honorary basis. Richard Kick reports that almost 30 people affected have contacted him since the report was presented. This contact is time-consuming and stressful, but very important. This requires more support from the church.
A spokesman for the professorship said that Marx had already answered the kick letter. Marx said contact with those affected was “an important concern” and he “kept in touch” with them. Marx did not comment specifically on the required ombudsman, but emphasizes that the diocese is now cooperating with specialist agencies such as the Wildwasser association. According to Marx, the nationwide procedure for compensating those affected has already been improved, and the diocese is already supporting the advisory board for those affected “in many ways”. If more is needed, we can talk about it.
Kick and Marx will meet in public on March 21st. Kick will moderate a discussion entitled “Affected Hear” about the destructive effect of abuse on the beliefs of those affected. Marx wants to take part in the event in the Künstlerhaus on Lenbachplatz. Registration is required, the discussion will be broadcast live online.