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February 9, 2012
Catholic abuse scandal hits famous boys' choir
Published: 5 Mar 10 12:24 CET
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/society/20100305-25687.html
The child sexual abuse scandal in Germany’s Catholic Church continued to spread on Friday as a spokesperson confirmed abuse at Regensburg’s cathedral school for their famous boys' choir, the Domspatzen.
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One suspect, who was a religion teacher and the institution’s assistant leader, was removed from service in 1958. The other man was reportedly censured in 1971.
“We want to investigate with transparency,” the spokesperson said.
The diocese said it planned to create a commission to study the school’s old files and archives between 1958 and 1973, when the abuse is thought to have occurred.
On Thursday Bavarian police also raided the Ettal monastery, which runs a Catholic boarding school, on suspicion of child pornography. According to daily Münchner Merkur, a monk there has admitted to uploading such material to the internet. The monastery also admitted to at least two cases of sexual abuse.
The scandal was revealed in late January when Berlin’s prestigious Canisius school announced that around 50 former students had claimed they were sexually abused by priests. Since then lawyers for victims have said more than 120 people across the country have come forward with allegations of abuse by up to 12 different priests and teachers at other Catholic institutions. So far 18 of 27 dioceses have been affected.
The country’s top Catholic bishop Robert Zollitsch, who issued a public apology in late February, is schedules to meet with Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican in one week to discuss the scandal.
DPA/The Local (news@thelocal.de)
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Your comments about this article:
For example see.
http://www.childabusecommission.ie/
The catholic church has systematically covered up child abuse for decades.
What in the world does the "Catholic inquisition" have to do with this? Best stick with things you know something about. These are tragic matters, but the fact is that if we really want to be balanced about how we look at these things we should be looking at public school teachers with much more vigor than at Catholic priests. But it's easier in today's cultural climate to take aim at religious organizations than at State protected institutions like the public schools.
The Spanish Inquisition has everything to do with this. It is another example of priests using their position of authority to prey on weaker members of society. It is another example of what happens when society looks up to the church without question. As Cathal Ford said in his previous post, this has happened in Ireland and has destroyed the Church's reputation in much the same way as it's reputation was destroyed by their activities during the Spanish inquisition.
Elitist power such as enjoyed by the Catholic Church over the ages has been proved to be dangerous. This is much the same power they enjoy over young people in their care as is the case Regensburg?'s cathedral school and many other schools in Germany, Ireland, USA etc etc.
Not that I think that secular teachers are immune, just that the church provides unparalleled opportunities for abuse.
Have you been brainwashed into believing,that the same crimes,when committed by lay-peaple,should take precedence,or are equal to those of these black-robed hypocrites?I was a student for the priesthood in a seminary at one time and was fortunately not sexually abused by priests,only mentally and physically.I have since come to see religion for what it is;a big fraud.It sickens me to think,that at one time I actually believed all that nonsense.The touch of a priest had psycho-somatic influences on me and the brainwashing and mind manipulation was such,that it took me decennia,to overcome the fear for the alleged consequences.I feel sorry for you,because you sacrifice rational thought and logical reasoning for all those indoctrinated lies.You also probably believe in the fairytale bundles,commonly referred to as bibles.If there is a god,it certainly has nothing to do with the one defined by organised religions.Their definition of god is fraught with contradictions.The only reason religions still survive is the fact,that they have a symbiotic relationship with politicians.Two faces of evil on the same coin.
I don't know about Germany, but here in America, there have been MANY women teachers who have had sex with their students, both boys and girls. There have been so many that late night talk show hosts make jokes about it (even though it's not a joking matter). One web site has kept what they call "The Big List" of the teachers with their mug shots and a short blurb on each incident: http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=39783
I see a story below this comment box about an incident in Germany:
Pupils at a progressive private boarding school in Hesse were regularly sexually abused, the Frankfurter Rundschau newspaper reported Saturday.
Brothers and sisters, don't let the abusers have the victory of preventing you from knowing God, the loving heavenly Father, and His Son who loved us so much he died for us and rose again, offering us forgiveness of all sins and eternal life.
Even one of the 12 Apostles tried to undermine true faith and religion.
As for the old 'true scotsman' arguments trying to rescue religion (statements from Linda Rivera, for example). Why trust the catholic religion at all if it is filled with those that seek to undermine it as you say? Sounds like a flawed argument to me.
So you would have us believe that two wrongs make a right????????????????????
I for one have left the church behind me as it has a very chequered history and has not fully demonstrated that it is what a church is meant to be. God can be found in places other than those run by the catholic church.