German Bishops' Conference: Bishops against higher compensation for pain and suffering for victims of abuse

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Georg Bätzing: "The subject of abuse does not let us go, it will not let go of us for a long time"

Photo: Peter Back / imago images / Future Image

Despite ongoing criticism from victims of abuse, the Catholic German Bishops' Conference is sticking to its regulation on the payment of compensation for pain and suffering.

The bishops wanted to orientate themselves further on the pain and suffering payments of the state courts, said the chairman Georg Bätzing at the end of the autumn plenary meeting in Fulda.

There are currently around 1000 open cases in the system of recognition benefits.

On the fringes of the bishops' conference there were again protests against the compensation practice in Germany, which provides a maximum of 50,000 euros in compensation for pain and suffering for victims of abuse.

To begin with, several victim initiatives accused the Catholic Church of “unspeakable treatment of those affected by sexual abuse in church institutions”. The payment framework for the recognition payments of up to 50,000 euros specified by the bishops is "ridiculously low," said representatives of the alliance for those affected and the Giordano Bruno Foundation. The specific decisions of the Independent Commission for Recognition Services "far exceed our worst fears," it said.

The sexual abuse scandal was the focus of the autumn plenary meeting.

"Steps forward were taken again," said Bätzing.

For example, a standard personnel file regulation has been adopted that will come into force on January 1 of next year, as well as a model regulation that creates the legal framework for processing commissions to inspect the files.

"These are very important promises that we made in 2018 and are now keeping," said Bätzing.

Retraumatisation of the victims

A fundamental change in the system of recognition services, which has been criticized in particular by victim initiatives, is not planned, said the DBK chairman. However, there are considerations as to how readjustments can be made, even after the feedback has been received that the victims are sometimes re-traumatized as part of the system of recognition payments. This "darkest chapter" must be given priority, and he too wants to face this challenge, said Bätzing.

It has also become clear that the current structure of the processing, which the Trier Bishop Stephan Ackermann, as the representative of the German Bishops' Conference (DBK), is no longer sufficient and needs to be put on a broader basis, so Bätzing.

Therefore, on Ackermann's suggestion, the bishops had decided to develop a concept for the further development of the area of ​​responsibility.

It is clear: "The subject of abuse does not let us go, it will not let go of us for a long time."

As the next step, a meeting between representatives of the affected advisory councils, the Independent Commission for Recognition Services, the Conference of Superiors of the Order and the German Bishops' Conference is planned for the middle of October.

The points of criticism of the system should be discussed again and possible measures discussed.

ptz / dpa / AFP