Retired German archbishop gives up honour after abuse report
Berlin, GermanyAP A former head of the Catholic German Bishops’ Conference is giving up the country’s highest honour following scathing criticism this week of his handling of clergy abuse cases during his tenure as archbishop of Freiburg and as a personnel officer in the diocese. Robert Zollitsch has informed German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in a […]
German bishops assure Vatican but vow to proceed with reform
Vatican CityAP Germany’s Catholic bishops insisted Saturday that their reform process won’t lead to a schism and vowed to see it through, after tense meetings with Vatican officials who want a moratorium on proposals to ordain women, bless same-sex unions and rethink church teaching on sexuality. The head of the German bishops’ conference, Bishop Georg […]
German bishops set up system for larger sex abuse payments
Berlin, GermanyAP The Catholic Church in Germany is setting up a new system to compensate survivors of sexual abuse by clergy that will provide for payments of up to about €50,000 to each victim. Victims will be able to apply for payments under the new system starting on 1st January, the head of the German […]