Two Psychologists Resign as Abuse Investigators in German Diocese, Citing Lack of Cooperation

Two psychologists, Hauser and Membarth, have resigned from their roles as abuse investigators in the Diocese of Augsburg, Germany. The psychologists accused diocesan officials of lacking genuine willingness to investigate cases of abuse within the church. However, the diocese rejected these accusations, instead citing "new data protection obstacles" under the Church Data Protection Act (KDG) as the reason for the difficulties in the investigation process.

According to the diocese, a written agreement on the distribution of tasks would have been required to proceed with the investigations. The diocese maintained that each case is taken seriously and processed thoroughly, emphasizing their commitment to addressing abuse allegations. Andreas Hatzung, the third abuse commissioner of the Augsburg diocese, expressed regret over the resignation of his colleagues but also stated that he could largely understand their decision.

Hauser and Membarth were appointed as new abuse commissioners in September 2022 and had reportedly advised nearly 20 victims since assuming their roles. The psychologists' resignation raises concerns about the effectiveness of the diocese's efforts to investigate and address abuse cases within the church.

Why this matters: The resignation of the abuse investigators in the Diocese of Augsburg highlights the ongoing challenges and controversies surrounding the handling of abuse cases within the Catholic Church. It underscores the need for increased transparency, accountability, and cooperation from church officials in addressing these serious allegations and ensuring justice for victims.

The Diocese of Augsburg stated that it takes each case seriously and processes them thoroughly, rejecting the accusations of lacking genuine willingness to investigate. However, the resignation of Hauser and Membarth, who had advised nearly 20 victims since their appointment in September 2022, raises questions about the effectiveness of the diocese's investigation process and its commitment to addressing abuse cases within the church.

Key Takeaways

• Two psychologists resigned as abuse investigators in Augsburg Diocese, Germany.
• Psychologists accused diocese of lacking willingness to investigate abuse cases.
• Diocese cited data protection obstacles as reason for investigation difficulties.
• Resignation raises concerns about diocese's efforts to address abuse allegations.
• Need for increased transparency and accountability in handling abuse cases.