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Münster Cathedral: As cathedral provost, Schulte heads the cathedral chapter
Photo: IMAGO/Jürgen Ritter
It was less than two weeks ago that the Catholic Church in Münster attempted a liberation - with an independent study on sexual abuse, the diocese finally wanted to get the upper hand in the processing.
Now a new suspicion is rocking the Catholic city and it is the diocese's management level that is affected.
Specifically: Official and cathedral provost Kurt Schulte.
As the highest church judge - head of the official office - in the diocese, the 57-year-old is actually responsible for clarifying allegations of abuse.
Now he himself is under suspicion: A person affected complained to a contact person for cases of sexual abuse about Schulte this week, as a spokesman for the diocese announced on Friday.
As a cathedral provost, Schulte is also at the head of the Münster cathedral chapter.
Schulte is said to have asked for a leave of absence himself
The person has reported an incident that affects them and the official and cathedral provost, it is said.
According to the current state of knowledge of the diocese, it is about the accusation of cross-border, inappropriate behavior by Schulte.
Last week, another complaint against Schulte was received via an anonymous reporting portal.
The intervention commissioner of the diocese of Münster, Peter Frings, forwarded this to the public prosecutor's office in Münster.
Bishop Felix Genn of Münster has given Schulte leave of absence with immediate effect and until further notice after the allegations became known.
According to the diocese, Schulte himself had previously expressed this wish.
No further sanctions have been imposed so far.
"But Schulte will refrain from celebrating public services, taking part in court decisions or pursuing other priestly activities in public," the diocese announced.
The diocese announced that it would now first wait for the investigations by the public prosecutor's office.
A preliminary investigation under canon law should then be carried out immediately.
Schulte will remain on leave until this is completed.
Apr
