HARRISBURG — Officials at the Diocese of Harrisburg, responding Wednesday night to reports of alleged abuse in a German Church choir once led by Pope Benedict XVI’s brother, called for “quick and decisive action to be taken in dealing transparently with allegations of child abuse, so that the truth can be uncovered and assistance given to the victims.”
Joseph Aponick, a spokesman for the diocese, said caring for children and young people is a sacred trust. Children have the right to be safe and protected, he said.
“The errors committed in religious institutions and by church figures are particularly hurtful,” he said in an e-mail. “Unfortunately, the tragedy of sexual abuse of minors is larger than the church and affects every segment of our society.”
The Roman Catholic diocese of Regensburg in southern Germany has appointed an independent investigator to examine the allegations of physical and sexual abuse that have engulfed the prestigious Regensburger Domspatzen boys choir, which was led by the Rev. Georg Ratzinger, the pope’s older brother, from 1964 until 1994. So far, the sexual abuse allegations predate Ratzinger’s term.
Asked how these charges might affect the reputation of the Catholic church, Aponick said the Diocese of Harrisburg is committed to creating a safe environment for children in its care and for the prevention of all forms of child abuse.
“We have a mandatory Safe Environment and screening program that has trained over 15,000 clergy, employees and volunteers to recognize and report the abuse of minors,” he said.
The diocese maintains a zero tolerance policy regarding clergy found guilty of the sexual abuse of a minor. Reassignment to ministry of a cleric who has admitted to or has been found guilty of the sexual abuse of a minor is never possible.
The same “zero tolerance” applies to future employment or volunteer ministry of any person who has admitted to or has been found guilty of the sexual abuse of a minor, even a single act, no matter when the abuse occurred.
To those parents who, because of this latest issue, would prefer to not send their children to a Catholic school, Aponick cautioned that before a parent sends a child to any school, public or private, they should ask to see the school’s written policy regarding all forms of child abuse.
“They should be informed about educational programs that exist for students and employees regarding child abuse,” he said. “Parents should ask how many allegations the school has received in the past 10 years and how they were dealt with. Parents should also be informed about the budget the institution has specifically for child abuse education and prevention and if any faculty or staff now serving have ever been found guilty of abuse.”
According to 2008 figures provided by the Diocese of Harrisburg, there are eight Catholic churches in Northumberland County, two in Union County, one in Snyder County and one in Montour County.
The diocese said that overall, in the four counties, there are 19,311 individuals who attend those churches.
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Diocese: Act on abuse claims
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