Regensburg diocese looks into abuse claims

The Local
April 28, 2015

http://www.thelocal.de/20150427/regensburg-diocese-cooperates-on-abuse-claims

The administrative head of the Regensburg diocese Michael Fuchs.

The diocese of Regensburg announced on Monday it is cooperating with the victims' organisation White Ring to investigate sexual and physical abuse at the Domspatzen Choir, Die Welt reported.

“We have asked White Ring to recommend us a lawyer who can take this investigate forward," said administrative head of the diocese Michael Fuchs.

Ulrich Weber, a lawyer specialising in cases of sexual abuse, will now lead the investigation into allegations of sexual and physical abuse at the Domspatzen primary school from the 1950s up to the present day.

The report will be published “as soon as we have the impression that the majority of reports [of abuse] have been considered,” said Fuchs.

Günther Perottoni from White Ring welcomed the diocese's decision.

“They have assured us that the procedures of the investigation will not be obstructed,” he said.

Seventy-two cases of abuse have already been reported, but according to Fuchs, “very many” more victims have come forward.

The diocese has already started paying compensation to the tune of €2,500 to victims.

“We are trying to win back a bit of credibility,” said Fuchs.

When the allegations first came to light in 2010 the hierarchy of the Regensburg diocese stringently denied them. But more recently their stance has softened.

Rolan Büchner the current head of the choir, recently apologised to all victims of abuse, saying “in the name of the Domspatzen's administration, I can only ask for forgiveness from the victims.”