Florian Zimmermann, President of the Humanist Association of Germany, comments on the results published in advance:
“We are shocked by these findings. They show the extent of sexual abuse in the catchment area of the German Bishops’ Conference and the systematic cover-up of cases of abuse. With 1,670 accused persons on record, we are calling for comprehensive investigations by the responsible federal authorities without delay. Church institutions are not outside our legal system and must not be a refuge for organized crime. The victims of sexual abuse have a right to be prosecuted and punished under the rule of law for the crimes committed against them.”
According to media reports, the study states that sexual abuse of minors by clerics of the Catholic Church continues to take place despite the measures taken by the Church in the meantime.
“This must come to an end,” Florian Zimmermann continues. “Clarification must finally take place comprehensively and without restriction. A study commissioned by the Catholic Church itself without access to archives is no substitute for a constitutional investigation. Not even every tenth case of sexual abuse leads to a criminal investigation, usually only followed by measures within the church such as early retirement or transfers. It is time for the federal government, the Bundestag and the responsible investigating authorities to get involved and follow up the church-controlled investigation with a fact-based state investigation into cases of abuse in church institutions.”
