Overview

• The ruling concludes the Evangelisch-reformierte Kirche’s disciplinary procedure, and both sides accepted the judgment.
• The former pastor admitted misconduct during the church investigation, according to the Landeskirchenamt in Leer.
• A woman reported cases of sexualized violence from 1980s and 1990s seminars for children’s church staff to a prevention office created in 2023.
• Prosecutors viewed the allegations as criminally relevant but said they were time-barred under statutes of limitations.
• Another victim came forward during the proceedings, and the church urged affected individuals to contact its prevention office or the central "help" contact point.