The dark past of the diocese of Eichstätt: News from the processing!

The diocese of Eichstätt is currently faced with severe allegations that were discussed on January 7, 2025 in the ARD magazine "Report Munich". The report deals with the abuse cases of a priest, known under the abbreviation FD-04, which was active in the diocese of Eichstätt. The aim of the article was to shed light on the network and the financial flows within the Catholic Church, especially with regard to the support of alleged perpetrators.

The diocese of Eichstätt and the independent processing commission (UAK) Eichstätt have actively participated in the process and were available for discussions and interviews. Bishop Gregor Maria Hanke and Peter Grimm, the chairman of Uak Eichstätt, commented on the current situation in interviews. Pia Dyckmans, spokeswoman for the diocese, confirmed the collaboration with "Report Munich" and explained that the disclosure of the events and the encouragement of other affected people were a central goal to contact us.

processing of the abuse cases

The incident is not new; The abuse cases were already identified in the Fidei Donum report by Bettina Janssen in 2022. The diocese and the Uak Eichstätt informed in press releases about the progress of the processing. Bishop Hanke also wrote to the diocese employees in writing. In an interim report and an exploratory study, the cases are currently being processed, and the diocese offers the affected person in contact with external contact persons and a advisory board. The contacts include Dr. Werner Merkle and Felizitas Schweitzer, both of whom can be reached via specific phone numbers.

The UAK Eichstätt has published new insights, according to further reporting, which indicates that the affected priest was attacked in the Schwabach retirement home during his retirement between 2006 and 2012. Vicar General Michael Alberter visited former locations of the priest and encouraged those affected to report their experiences. Bishop Hanke's response to the diocese of past abuse is not sufficiently criticized, and he recognizes the need for improvements in personnel management.

Bishop Alois Brems, his predecessor, is accused of not only covering up the case, but also helping the priest to have helped to escape from the police. In order to support the processing, the protection period for the written estate of Bishop Brems was reduced from 60 to 30 years. In addition, the Youth Foundation has hired the Bishop Alois Brems Prize and plans to advise on a new youth award.

The UAK Eichstätt also works on the addition of the Fidei-Donum report and plans to request further files at various institutions. A legal opinion is commissioned to evaluate the criminal and church law aspects of the case. The diocese of Eichstätt supports the UAK in its research and calls on possible those affected to report to advance the processing. The interim report of the UAK Eichstätt can be viewed on the Commission's website.