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	Pope Strips German Paedophile of Priesthood Earth Times July 22, 2009 http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/278516,pope-strips-german-paedophile-of-priesthood.html Mainz, Germany - Pope Benedict XVI has removed a paedophile German priest from office after the man admitting that he molested boarding-school boys in the 1970s, his order said Wednesday. At least 16 men have come forward to say they were forced into sexual acts as boys at the school, near Bad Neustadt an der Saale, 110 kilometres east of Frankfurt. The incidents happened between 1972 and 1976, too long ago to be prosecuted as crimes under German law. The school closed in 1978. The alleged perpetrator applied in December to the pope to leave the priesthood. The Mainz-based Missionaries of the Holy Family expressed regret to the victims in a statement and said the man, 71, would remain with the order as a simple brother instead of a more highly ranked priest. Former pupils said the man raped boys in the dormitories as other boys watched. The order said last year he would be prohibited from any contact with children or young men and be dismissed from the order if he breaks the rule. "He has owned up to his guilt," the order said, promising to assist former victims to obtain counselling. The scandal became public last year when a theologian who was educated at the school revealed the acts, leading to the priest being suspended from his tasks as chaplain at an old people's home.
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