Overview
- Researchers from the University of Passau published a study covering 1945 to 2022 that documents confirmed minimum counts of alleged perpetrators and victims.
- The report identifies at least 154 abusive clergy in the diocese and a minimum of 672 potentially affected children and adolescents, most of them boys.
- The authors caution the true number of victims could be substantially higher, possibly up to twice the minimum, due to gaps and group-based references in historical records.
- An estimated 86% of the suspects appear to be repeat offenders, with incidents occurring in settings such as boarding schools, religious instruction, and altar service.
- The study was delivered in late November to the Independent Commission, the Victims’ Advisory Board, and Bishop Stefan Oster before being released publicly.