Independent Report Exposes Decades of Abuse and Cover-Ups in Würzburg Diocese

The Diocese of Würzburg faces scrutiny as new protocols and victim engagement efforts are announced following revelations of systemic abuse from 1945 to 2019.

• An independent report commissioned by the Unabhängigen Kommission zur Aufarbeitung des sexuellen Missbrauchs (Ukam) revealed at least 226 victims of sexual abuse in the Diocese of Würzburg between 1945 and 2019, involving 51 perpetrators, including 43 clerics.
• The report estimates over 3,000 acts of abuse, highlighting systemic cover-ups prioritizing institutional reputation over victim welfare, with few perpetrators facing legal consequences.
• Bischof Franz Jung condemned the Church's historical failures, describing the findings as 'shocking' and acknowledging the neglect of victims' welfare.
• Mandatory reporting protocols have been implemented across the Diocese, requiring staff to report all suspicions of misconduct to legal authorities, ensuring greater transparency.
• Victim engagement sessions and workshops are scheduled to begin on May 14, 2025, with concrete reform measures to be finalized by the end of Q3 2025.

3 Articles

Süddeutsche Zeitung DER SPIEGEL Augsburger Allgemeine