BERLIN, Germany: A statue of deceased German cardinal Franz Hengsbach was removed from its perch outside Essen Cathedral in western Germany Monday, days after allegations of sexual abuse that date back decades, became public.
The statue honouring the late German cardinal was carefully removed from its prominent position outside Essen Cathedral. This move follows recent revelations of allegations of sexual abuse that date back decades, tarnishing the legacy of the late cardinal and underscoring the persistent issue of abuse within the German clergy.
Cardinal Franz Hengsbach, who passed away in 1991, has been implicated in a distressing controversy concerning sexual abuse. These allegations have contributed to the ongoing scandal surrounding abuse within the Catholic Church in Germany, a deeply distressing issue that has severely impacted the faith community.
The Essen diocese disclosed last week that suspicions were raised regarding Cardinal Hengsbach’s potential abuse of a 16-year-old girl in the 1950s, during his tenure as an auxiliary bishop in nearby Paderborn. Additionally, a woman accused him of abuse in 1967 during his time as bishop of Essen, a position he held for a remarkable 33 years.
In a letter addressed to parishes and made public on Friday, the current Bishop, Franz-Josef Overbeck, acknowledged errors in the handling of the allegations. He revealed that he had been made aware of an accusation in 2011 but took no action after the Vatican deemed it implausible. Bishop Overbeck expressed regret, admitting that the accusations were misjudged in 2011 and acknowledged the injustice suffered by the victims. Further allegations that came to light in March compelled church officials to reexamine the case, leading to the decision to revisit the statue honouring Cardinal Hengsbach.
The diocese announced on Friday its decision to remove the larger-than-life statue of Cardinal Hengsbach, a statue that was originally unveiled in 2011. Following this decision, on Monday morning, a crane carefully lifted the statue onto a waiting truck, where it will be stored away from public view.
The removal of the statue serves as a symbolic response to the distressing findings and signifies a commitment to addressing the historical abuse within the church. It is a sombre reminder of the pain endured by survivors of abuse and a call for accountability and change within religious institutions.
In 2018, a report commissioned by the church revealed the harrowing extent of abuse within the German clergy, spanning from 1946 to 2014. Shockingly, the report documented at least 3,677 cases of abuse, with over half of the victims being 13 years of age or younger, and nearly a third having served as altar boys. These distressing statistics underscore the urgent need for comprehensive reforms and a steadfast commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all members within the faith community.
