The Bavarian Catholic bishops meet this Wednesday and Thursday, 30./31. March, to their general assembly in Regensburg. The Munich Archdiocese announced on Tuesday that advice should be given on the processing and prevention of sexual abuse. In January, the Munich abuse report was published, which shook the Catholic Church permanently: The experts from the law firm Westpfahl Spilker Wastl assume at least 497 victims and 235 suspected perpetrators, including 173 priests – and also a significantly higher number of unreported cases. The abuse report had caused a stir worldwide, partly because the focus was on a future pope, Joseph Ratzinger. One of the most powerful representatives of the Catholic Church in Bavaria, Prelate Lorenz Wolf, is also heavily accused. According to reports, Wolf is said to have made a significant contribution in several cases to covering up crimes of abuse. At the end of January it was announced that Wolf would be giving up all of his offices and duties. On Monday, the archdiocese announced that Wolf had asked to be relieved of his duties as head of the Bavarian Catholic Office and as chief church judge of the archdiocese of Munich and Freising. Other issues discussed at the General Assembly include the situation of refugees from Ukraine and church asylum.
Bishops advise on abuse reports – Bavaria
