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In his own words, Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki dealt with the Pilz case for the first time in June of this year
Photo: Oliver Berg / dpa
The Cologne Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki has achieved success in court against the "Bild" newspaper.
The district court of Cologne decided in summary proceedings that the newspaper was not allowed to repeat a certain allegation.
A spokeswoman said.
Objection to the decision is possible.
"Bild" had reported allegations of abuse against the former Sternsinger boss Winfried Pilz (1940-2019).
The priest moved to East Germany in 2010, but the responsible diocese of Dresden-Meissen was not informed of the allegations against him by the Archdiocese of Cologne.
The canon lawyer Thomas Schüller told the "Bild" newspaper that the report was omitted under Woelki's predecessor, Cardinal Joachim Meisner, and that Woelki did not make up for it.
In this context, "Bild" published the sentence: "The canon lawyer also takes a firm position on the motive for Woelki's breach of duty." This statement was forbidden by the Cologne Regional Court.
According to Woelki, it was not until June of this year that he personally dealt with the Pilz case for the first time.
A "Bild" spokesman described the court decision as "wrong".
Further legal steps are being considered.
What is certain is that "Bild" correctly quoted the canon lawyer Schüller.
Incidentally, one can state: "The actual allegations of 'a clear breach of duty' are not themselves attacked by Cardinal Woelki."
Woelki reached an agreement with Schüller on Thursday.
Schüller made it clear in an affidavit that he had not commented on an alleged motive of Woelkis in the question.
In response, Woelki withdrew his application for an injunction against Schüller.
mgo/dpa
