ESSEN (GERMANY)
Katholisch.de [Bonn, Germany]
October 20, 2023
They are connected to possible acts of abuse by the founder of the Ruhr bishopric and are of varying scope, according to the diocese of Essen: There are further clues in the Hengsbach case.
After the allegations of abuse against former Cardinal Franz Hengsbach became known, the diocese of Essen received ten more tips. A spokesman for the diocese confirmed a corresponding report by WDR on Friday. The information was related to possible acts of abuse by the founder of the Ruhr diocese and had different implications, the broadcaster quoted Vicar General Klaus Pfeffer as saying. They are taken very seriously. The contact persons of the diocese are currently holding talks with the whistleblowers.
In September, the (arch)dioceses of Essen and Paderborn made public two allegations of abuse against the former bishop and Cardinal Hengsbach (1910-1991). These refer to the 1950s and 1960s, but had only been reported later and initially declared implausible. This had been a mistake, the dioceses admitted. A few days later, the Bishop of Essen, Franz-Josef Overbeck, spoke of other affected persons who had come forward to the diocese. (KNA)