German police search church properties in probe of Cologne archbishop over perjury allegations
Berlin, Germany AP German police and prosecutors searched Catholic Church properties on Tuesday in connection with a probe of the Archbishop of Cologne in western Germany over perjury allegations, authorities said. The searches included the vicar general’s office and the premises of an IT company that provides email services to the archdiocese headed by Cardinal […]
Catholic Church in Germany: Crisis of confidence over cardinal shakes Cologne Archdiocese
KIRSTEN GRIESHABER, of Associated Press, reports from the historic centre of Catholocism in Europe – the Archdiocese of Cologne…
Prosecutors to investigate possible perjury charge against German cardinal
Berlin, GermanyReuters German prosecutors are due to investigate whether Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki, one of the German Catholic Church’s most senior clerics, perjured himself earlier this year in sworn testimony about abuse committed by a now dead priest. The Archbishopric of Cologne confirmed on Wednesday that they had been informed about the planned investigation into […]
German Catholic archbishop offers resignation on return from timeout
Berlin, GermanyAP A prominent Roman Catholic archbishop who faced strong criticism for his handling of the church’s sexual abuse scandal in Germany said Wednesday that he has offered his resignation to Pope Francis following a “spiritual timeout” granted by the pontiff. Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki, the Archbishop of Cologne, marked his return to work with […]
In Germany, Cologne Catholic church holds penance service on sex abuse
Cologne, GermanyAP Germany’s Roman Catholic archdiocese of Cologne held a service of penance Thursday for cases of sexual abuse by clergy, saying the ritual was not an absolution for the perpetrators but a “confession of guilt.” The German Catholic Church’s handling of sexual abuse reports has caused a crisis in Cologne, where the Archbishop, Cardinal […]
German cleric defends Pope’s decision to keep Archbishop
Berlin, GermanyAP The head of the German Bishops’ Conference on Monday defended the Pope’s decision to allow the Archbishop of Hamburg to stay on at this post, despite being faulted for his handling of sexual abuse allegations. Limburg Bishop Georg Baetzing said that he understands how people feel about the decision, but that Pope Francis […]
Pope rejects German Archbishop’s resignation over abuse
Berlin, GermanyAP Pope Francis has rejected the resignation of the Archbishop of Hamburg, who offered to step down in March after a report faulted him for his handling of sexual abuse allegations in his previous diocese. The papal nuncio’s office in Berlin said in a statement Wednesday that the pontiff made his decision after two […]
Catholic Church in Germany: Cardinal’s resignation, refused by Pope, reinvigorates church reform
CLAIRE GIANGRAVÉ, writing for Religion News Service, takes at look at recent events in the Catholic Church in Germany…
German archbishop offers resignation after abuse criticism
Cologne, GermanyAP A report commissioned by Germany’s Cologne archdiocese on church officials’ handling of past cases of sexual abuse found 75 cases in which high-ranking officials neglected their duties. The findings on Thursday prompted the Archbishop of Hamburg to offer his resignation to Pope Francis. The report commissioned by Cologne’s Archbishop, Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki, […]
Top German bishop laments “scandalous” image of church
Berlin, GermanyAP The head of the German Bishops’ Conference said Thursday that the country’s Roman Catholic church is suffering from a “scandalous image” amid mounting anger over the Cologne Archbishop’s handling of a report on past sexual abuse by clergy, but he defended its overall record in addressing the issue. The Cologne Archbishop, Cardinal Rainer […]