Pope Benedict XVI knew about priests who abused children when he was archbishop of Munich from 1977 to 1981, an investigative report on the archdiocese concluded on Thursday. The investigators’ information contradicts Benedict’s longstanding denials.
“He was briefed on the facts,” lawyer Martin Pusch said in Munich as part of a panel that announced the findings of the investigation.
“We believe he can be charged with misconduct in four cases,” Pusch said. “Two of these cases concern abuses committed during his tenure and sanctioned by the state. In both cases, the perpetrators remained active in pastoral care,” he added.
Benedict XVI continues to deny the allegations, lawyers at the Westpfahl Spilker Wastl law firm said on Thursday, as the findings of the inquiry into historic sexual abuse in the Archdiocese of Munich over several decades were revealed.
The findings are a damning judgment on the former pope, then known as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, which comes after years of speculation about how much he knew.
“During his tenure, there were cases of abuse,” Pusch said, referring to Benedict. “In these cases, these priests continued their work without sanctions. The Church did nothing,” he added.
“He claims that he did not know certain facts, although we believe he did not, as far as we know,” said Pusch.
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Reference: CNN Brasil
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