When the current Pope Benedict XVI was an archbishop in Germany, a known paedophile priest was accepted into his diocese. The priest later again sexually abused minors.
It was revealed on Friday that Pope Benedict XVI, in his position as bishop of Munich and Freising, in 1980 approved the rehousing of a priest accused of child sex abuse in his diocese.
"It was decided in 1980 to give H.
accommodation in a rectory so that he could receive therapy. The archbishop took part in this decision," the diocese of Munich and Freising said in a statement.
The diocese confirmed that the priest in question was in Munich to undergo therapy after sexually abusing young boys. According to the German daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung, he was accused of forcing an 11-year old boy to perform oral sex.
Known paedophile allowed to work with children
After the initial decision to accept the priest for therapy, the man was later given pastoral work again. Archbishop Josef Ratzinger - now Pope Benedict - was unaware of the move at the time, according to his former diocese.
In the period up until 1982 when Ratzinger moved to the Vatican, no wrongdoings were reported, the diocese said.
In 1985 however, the priest again faced allegations of child sex abuse and was relieved of his duties. He received a suspended prison sentence and a fine for the sexual abuse of minors.
<SNIP>http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,5349875,00.html
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