For the victims, healing was slow. Some left the Church entirely. Others stayed, demanding reform. Their voices, dismissed in 1998 as “anti-clerical hysteria,” now sound prophetic.
Further reading: “Die stille Sünde” (1999, Herder Verlag); Vatican Document “Sacramentum Poenitentiae” (Canon 983–984). priester auf abwegen: die beichte 1998
The specifics (still redacted in many archives) were chilling: women and young adults alleged that the priest twisted penitential acts into psychological control. What began as “Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned” turned into “You must obey me to be absolved.” For the victims, healing was slow
October 26, 2024 Category: Church History & True Crime For the victims