Duisburg (dpa / lnw) - A Catholic pastor and city dean of Duisburg has been released from his duties at his own request after allegations of encroaching behavior. This was announced by the Ruhr diocese on Friday. According to the announcement, the exemption applies “initially until June 30”.
"My request for release is related to allegations against me that I am accused of behavior that violates the limits as a pastor," the pastor explained in a letter to the parish for his request for release. In view of the ongoing proceedings, he did not want to give any further details, the statement said.
In 2013 and 2021, the diocese of Essen received reports of inappropriate behavior by the Duisburg pastor. Both a public prosecutor's as well as a canonical investigation had not yielded any indications of criminal acts, according to the announcement. The public prosecutor's investigation was discontinued in February 2023. The diocese submitted the case to the Vatican with a request for a decision on how to proceed.
The Ruhr diocese had only submitted a report on the subject of abuse in mid-February, which speaks of 201 accused since the diocese was founded in 1958 until February 2023 - mainly priests from the Ruhr diocese and other dioceses, deacons and religious of different sexes. The "WAZ" had also reported on the case.
