Shocking report of abuse in the diocese of Fulda: 319 pages full of revelations!

Shocking report of abuse in the diocese of Fulda: 319 pages full of revelations!

On June 18, 2025, the diocese of Fulda's abuse report was published, which was written in 319 pages. The independent commission to deal with sexual abuse prepared this report, which outlines both the background and the tasks of the members. The names of all bishops and vicars general of the diocese since 1945 are listed, but most of the content remains anonymous so that no specific names or places are mentioned. This leads to a certain level of discomfort among those affected, who also have their say in the report and describe their terrible experiences.

The investigation sheds light on dark chapters of the past, including four interviews with people affected by abuse. One particularly shocking case describes years of abuse by a priest from 1973 to 1979, which took place almost every night. Another victim tells of the suffering she suffered at the hands of a priest between 1958 and 1963. These stories are only a small part of the more than 230 documented cases of sexual violence and abuse of power that have taken place in the Diocese of Fulda since the end of the Second World War.

Inadequate response from church leadership

The commission finds that the church leadership's response until around 2010 was woefully inadequate. Instead of protecting the victims, attempts were often made to “solve possible offenses inconspicuously” in order not to endanger the careers of the accused priests. The fact that candidates for the priesthood were ordained despite considerable concerns also shows how disastrous the system was. Only 19 of 152 communities took part in the survey, and in many communities cases of abuse went unpunished despite evidence.

The report specifically names 29 cases of abuse; the most recent is from 2016. This involves, among other things, a youth room where a pastor became active, and a former chaplain who sought sexual chats with young people. The church was also heavily criticized because only 23 criminal complaints were filed and the record keeping was criticized as inadequate. Bishop Michael Gerber apologized in connection with the present results and announced concrete consequences. The report also calls for the establishment of an independent successor committee to provide better support for those affected and protection concepts.

The number of unreported cases remains high

The commission assumes that the actual number of abuses is many times higher than the documented cases. The report is aimed at society and the credibility of the Church, which has been broken by the constant scandals. A look at nationwide statistics shows that the Catholic Church in Germany is confronted with a massive abuse scandal. Over 1,670 clergy have been accused of sexually abusing minors, and the number of unreported cases may be even higher. In around 22.6 percent of cases, the age of the affected child is unknown, which raises additional concerns.

Overall, the report highlights the importance of listening to victims and promoting acceptance in communities. The comprehensive examination of these issues is necessary in order to restore trust in the church as an institution. The full final report is available on the Commission's website and should be worth reading for anyone interested in understanding the gravity of the issue. *

Contact information is available for those affected, which is an important measure to ensure protection and support for victims. For more information, see reports from East Hesse News, daily news and Statista.