Recklinghausen (dpa / lnw) - A pastor who is being investigated for possession of child pornography has been relieved of his post in the parish in question. Bishop Felix Genn took the step, the diocese of Münster announced on Sunday. Genn have "released" the man.
"The bishop is following the request of the priest, who asked the bishop to release him on February 19," the statement said. The information was brought to the faithful during the church services at the weekend. Who will lead the parish in the future will now be discussed with the local committees, among other things.
The priest is under investigation for possession of child pornography. In mid-February, a spokesman for the central and contact point for cybercrime (ZAC), which is based at the Cologne public prosecutor's office, said that the suspicion had been confirmed after viewing the secured data carriers. However, it will still take some time to evaluate all the data.
Investigators searched the pastor's apartment last November and confiscated computers, hard drives and cell phones, among other things. According to the diocese, the man was suspended immediately after the investigation began and was thus removed from service. All priestly activities were forbidden to him since then. Now he also loses his position in the pastor.
