After allegations of abuse: Diocese of Essen advises on Hengsbach monument – Ruhr area – News – WDR – Ruhr area – News

At the unveiling of the Cardinal Hengsbach statue in 2011, there were many people who were prominent in the Ruhr area. From Berthold Beitz, the general representative of the Krupp family, the then Evonik boss Klaus Engel to Bishop Franz-Josef Overbeck. Nobody would have thought back then that 12 years later there would be discussions about removing the monument.

Special meeting of the cathedral chapter

But that is exactly what is happening this early afternoon behind the walls of the diocese of Essen. Then the cathedral chapter meets for a special meeting. The only point of the day: what happens to the Hengsbach statue? But the decision doesn’t seem to be that simple.

Different positions

Vicar General Klaus Pfeffer told WDR in advance of the meeting: “There are definitely different points of view within the diocese, and the artist has already spoken out. We will weigh this up at today’s meeting and make a decision“.

Apparently the artist and sculptor Silke Rehberg, who created the statue, has concerns. She is thinking about redesigning the monument rather than simply removing it. Legal questions also have to be clarified at the meeting, because the artist would have to agree in the end and has a significant voice in the decision.

Those affected are calling for the monument to be removed

Essen’s mayor Thomas Kufen had already announced that Kardinal-Hengsbach-Platz in the city center would be renamed after the allegations of abuse. Representatives of those affected and the Maria 2.0 reform initiative had also called for the larger-than-life statue of the clergyman to be removed.

The dioceses of Essen and Paderborn made serious allegations of abuse against Hengsbach public on Tuesday. It concerns at least two cases of sexual violence from the 1950s and 1960s.

Transparency raises questions

The Ruhr diocese has gone public to encourage possible further victims to come forward and speaks of “transparency”. But this transparency at least raises questions.

Great tribute to Hengsbach at the monument inauguration

Research has shown that the current bishop Franz-Josef Overbeck knew about the allegations when he inaugurated the monument at Essen Cathedral in October 2011. In a speech, Overbeck remembered and paid tribute to the first bishop of the Ruhr diocese. But just two months earlier, Overbeck had become aware of two allegations of abuse in the Archdiocese of Paderborn, Hengsbach’s former place of work.

Statement from diocese spokesman

Why would you dedicate a monument to a possible abuser? Diocesan spokesman Ulrich Lota explains to WDR: “When Bishop Overbeck became aware of the allegations, the proceedings were ongoing“So nothing has been established at all. When asked, Lota admits: “From today’s perspective, things would certainly have been done differently; sensitivity has only grown over the years“.

Timing for phone call with Rome unclear

The bishop was informed by telephone in 2011 by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in Rome that the allegations of abuse from the Archdiocese of Paderborn had been classified as implausible. Bishop Overbeck could no longer remember when this phone call took place. The written confirmation from Rome was then given in December.

However, due to the new accusation, the Archdiocese of Paderborn has now admitted that it wants to re-evaluate the 2011 assessment. In October 2022, a woman contacted the Diocese of Essen and reported sexual assaults by Franz Hengsbach.