Church
Priest is said to have photographed abuse victims
Another case of abuse in the Catholic Church – minors in the Diocese of Trier are affected. photo
© Bernd Weißbrod/dpa/symbol image
Abuse images of minors in the estate: The nephew of a priest turns to the Diocese of Trier with his find. The investigation committee should investigate the case.
A Trier diocese priest who died in 2022 is said to have abused minors for decades and photographed and filmed the victims. The Koblenz “Rhein-Zeitung” reported that his nephew discovered several hundred recordings in the clergyman’s apartment after his death.
The Diocese of Trier announced that the retired priest had been sanctioned in 2012 after “indications of sexually abusive behavior”. He was no longer allowed to hold church services. He was forbidden to deal with children and young people.
In addition, a preliminary canonical investigation had been initiated, the result of which was reported to Rome. The public prosecutor’s office in Trier was also informed at the time. However, after a short time they stopped their investigations due to the statute of limitations.
According to the diocese spokeswoman, the nephew of the deceased priest contacted the diocese at the beginning of the year. In discussions with Bishop Stephan Ackermann of Trier, it was agreed that the nephew would contact the Trier diocese’s independent investigation commission. In addition, the bishop wanted to ask the commission to work through the case in view of the new information.