Investigators have targeted a suspected pedophile priest identified as Peter H., as well as Benedict, who was Archbishop of Munich and Friesing from 1997 to 1982, and his successor, Cardinal Friedrich Wetter. The prosecutor’s office is trying to pin the blame on the priest and other church officials in a historic child abuse case involving a now 38-year-old Bavarian man.
A report on the priest published early this year mentions years of abuse by church representatives in the archdiocese. Instead of handing over the priest in question to the courts, he was transferred to another church community, where everything started all over again.
The former pope’s decision removes a hurdle from a possible trial. If he had not been willing to testify, a so-called default judgment would have been handed down.
Because of the limitation period, only the guilt of the perpetrator can be established, and that can lead to the imposition of compensation.
