The decision by the German bishops to appoint a priest previously linked to a major seminary scandal to an advisory body representing abuse victims has sparked controversy in Germany and drawn criticism from victims’ groups as well as from some senior Church figures.
In December 2024 the German Bishops’ Conference appointed Fr Wolfgang Rothe, a priest of the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising, to its advisory board for victims of sexual abuse. The board was established to give survivors a voice in shaping the Church’s response to abuse and to advise the bishops on safeguarding and pastoral support.
