Germany: more than 540 underage choirboys were sexually abused by priests

World News Nilgun Salim
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Nearly 540 choir boys from a cathedral in Germany were physically and sometimes even sexually abused between 1949 and 2015.

The conclusion was highlighted by a report conducted by an NGO

According to the authorities, the name of former Pope Benedict XVI’s brother appears in the court documents as well, considering the high clergyman managed the chorus a couple of years ago.

For over 66 years, the Regensburg Cathedral was constantly involved in hundreds of child abuse cases.

Hundreds of minors, who were part of the choir, revealed they have been humiliated and beaten up by priests and teachers.

According to the court files, the beatings and humiliations are nothing compared to the testimonies of those children who talked about the times they were sexually abused by priests.

“It’s a permanent practice that has lasted for decades, during which 547 children have been tortured, abused, treated badly and socially affected. They are traumatized even now, and this upsets me”, revealed Alexander Probst, a former choir child.

“Many of those children said this was the darkest moment in their lives, marked by violence, fear, and helplessness”, added German lawyer Ulrich Weber.

Among those mentally disturbed priests who are being accused of raping and abusing the minors, it’s also the brother of former Pope Benedict XVI.

Now aged 93, Georg Ratzinger led the cathedral choir for more than 30 years. He knew all along the boys were beaten, but he refused to do anything about it.

“The musical director R. (Ratzinger) is responsible for closing his eyes and not intervening, though he knew what was happening.

Physical violence was commonplace, and it was against many students who were beaten bitterly. The worst deeds occurred during the 60’s and’ 70’s, added Ulrich Weber.

Ever since everything came to light in 2010, Georg Ratzinger constantly claimed he did not know about the abuses from the Regensburg cathedral.

Last year, the diocese began cooperating with the investigators and agreed to pay 20.000 euros to each victim.