German School Sex Abuse Scandal More Widespread Than Thought



2010 February, 2nd
Phil Butler
Phil Butler
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Shocking news of sexual abuse at a Berlin Catholic school riveted parents and officials last week. But those stories appear to be only the “tip of the iceberg.” The depth of a child sex abuse allegations localized to the one Berlin school, has now spread throughout the country, the EU, and South America. Provincial superior of the Jesuit order, Stephan Dartmann, revealed another 20 possible victims coming forward in Berlin alone. Evidently, the two priests at the center of the controversy may have abused many more children from as far away as Chile and Spain since 1990.

One of the priests, identified only as Wolfgang S, reportedly addressed a statement to his victims over the weekend. In the statement he admits to have used his position to take advantage of youths under his charge for many years. The confession comes on the heels of revelations that dozens of youths were abused as far back as the 1970′s. These priests, in filling their various positions over the years, have travelled far abroad and have had contact with thousands of students. The Catholic Church, and especially the Jesuit order, have a PR nightmare on their hands. No word from higher Catholic authority has been reported, but sooner of later the Vatican will have to make a statement.

On learning of the situation, headmaster Father Klaus Mertes contacted some 600 former students at Canisius College to investigate the possibility some had been molested. He discovered the depth of the two priest’s dark activities, and had this to say; “With deep shock and shame, I have learned of these horrific, not only isolated, but systematic violations that went on for years.”

Wolfgang S., who now lives in South America, claims he informed the order as far back as the early 1990′s. But there is no confirmation of this as of yet. The second priest, identified as Peter R., was apparently suspended for similar activities sometime back in the late 1980′s. He left the Jesuit order in 1995 according to the reports, and the church has had no contact with him. His files show several instances of abuse dating back to 1981. Another report has it that Peter R. was injured in an apparent attempt on his life back in 1982 as well.

Pastor Mertes told reporters and officials he first learned of the situation last year when he was approached by one of the former victims. Even with his investigation, one has to wonder how many have not, or will not, come forward? Given the numbers who have surfaced so far, these priests could have had a far more serious and gravitous effect on the students they were in contact with. Mertes, has suggested the students contact police given the nature of the crimes reported to him by his internal investigation. There is no word yet as to the true identities or legal situation of the priests involved.

About the Author

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Phil Butler is editor-in-chief of Everything PR and senior partner at Pamil Visions PR. He’s a widely cited authority on beta startups, search engines and public relations issues, and he has covered tech news since 2004. Phil wrote in the past for ReadWriteWeb, Mashable, Profy, SitePoint, Search Engine Journal, AltSearchEngines. Follow Phil on Twitter or send him an email at phil [at] pamil-visions [dot] com.

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  1. Comment by Littlebird on 3 February 2010:

    It is about time that the fruits of the Catholic Church are finally being exposed in Germany! Making such abuses public knowledge is a welcome step! Let us hope an apology and action to change will follow as well as compensation for past wrongs. Wouldn’t that show seriousness of intent? A true and lasting change in society requires self-analysis. So, before everything is relegated to yesterday’s news, wouldn’t it bring healing to ask the question “why”? Why was such a perversion covered up for so long by an organization that claims to be the guardian of Christian ethics and morals? And why was this allowed by the authorities for so long? Were church and state in each others pockets? The harm to society is immeasurable! Who can gauge the crumbling ethics and morals in society and the increasing cynicism because of such conduct? And what about the victims and their families who were deeply and emotionally traumatized?! And let us not forget the alienation from God in society caused by such “bastions” of religious faith! Where does the responsibility lie for all this? Enforced celibacy has no biblical foundation at all! Why was it instituted in the first place?!
    What would Jesus of Nazareth say if He came to the Earth and saw what the church – which claims to speak for Him – has made of His life’s work?
    I find honest the view of a small group in Germany called “The Free Christians for the Christ of the Sermon on the Mount in All Cultures Worldwide.” They have taken the Catholic Church to task and have filed a lawsuit against the Archbishopric of Freiburg as representing the Catholic Church, enjoining it from continuing to call itself “Christian.” Their arguments are sound and quite valid and available for study. The pervasive child abuse of clerics within the church is one reason why they do not want to remain silent any longer on the, as they put it, “brazen labelling fraud,” with which “Christ is mocked and His name abused to such an extent.” Perhaps your readers would like to check them out: http://www.christ-or-church.de