Overview

• The Landgericht Köln dismissed the plaintiff’s request for €830,000 in damages after ruling that the priest acted as a private individual rather than performing church duties.
• Judges found that the foster placement was established by state authorities, breaking any legal connection to the archdiocese’s supervisory responsibilities.
• The plaintiff, now 58, was sexually abused for years by her foster father, who was convicted in February 2022 and sentenced to 12 years in prison.
• Victim advocates and attorneys have filed a criminal complaint accusing Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki of attempted process fraud for allegedly withholding key documents.
• The judgment is not yet final and may be appealed while prosecutors review the fraud allegations against senior church leadership.