http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Thu, 20 Jun 2013 03:32:37 +0200 Thu, 20 Jun 2013 03:32:37 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/blame-traded-after-investigation-into-catholic-church-sex-abuse-fails-a-876790.html#ref=rss The German Catholic Church called off an independent review of allegations of sexual abuse in its ranks this week. The head of the investigation accused the Church of censorship. On Thursday, the two sides traded blame as German commentators largely mourned the end of the examination. Thu, 10 Jan 2013 15:03:06 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/blame-traded-after-investigation-into-catholic-church-sex-abuse-fails-a-876790.html The German Catholic Church called off an independent review of allegations of sexual abuse in its ranks this week. The head of the investigation accused the Church of censorship. On Thursday, the two sides traded blame as German commentators largely mourned the end of the examination. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-bishop-of-limburg-triggers-uproar-with-luxurious-lifestyle-a-851707.html#ref=rss He extols the virtues of poverty and humility, but the German bishop of Limburg enjoys first-class flights and a luxurious new living complex. As the truth comes out about their secretive shepherd, local Catholics are threatening to abandon the fold en masse. Thu, 23 Aug 2012 16:42:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-bishop-of-limburg-triggers-uproar-with-luxurious-lifestyle-a-851707.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/german-bishop-in-charge-of-child-abuse-issues-criticized-for-leniency-a-822786.html#ref=rss Two years ago, Germany's Catholic Church was rocked by reports of widespread child abuse. But Stephan Ackermann, the bishop subsequently made the German Bishops' Conference's spokesman on such issues, has rattled many in his own diocese by refusing to actively pursue investigations or impose harsh penalties. Thu, 22 Mar 2012 17:33:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/german-bishop-in-charge-of-child-abuse-issues-criticized-for-leniency-a-822786.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-world-from-berlin-the-pope-can-t-neglect-what-s-happening-in-his-own-church-a-788048.html#ref=rss The pope's highly anticipated speech in Germany's parliament Thursday was met with a standing ovation by politicians, who he warned not to abandon their principles for power. In Friday's newspapers, though, German commentators take the pope to task for not addressing contemporary problems within the Catholic Church in his speech. Fri, 23 Sep 2011 15:05:34 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-world-from-berlin-the-pope-can-t-neglect-what-s-happening-in-his-own-church-a-788048.html The pope's highly anticipated speech in Germany's parliament Thursday was met with a standing ovation by politicians, who he warned not to abandon their principles for power. In Friday's newspapers, though, German commentators take the pope to task for not addressing contemporary problems within the Catholic Church in his speech.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/mission-clarity-pope-benedict-s-blunt-new-world-a-788054.html#ref=rss It has been billed as Pope Benedict XVI's most difficult trip abroad to date. But so far in Germany, the pope has not sought to shy away from controversy. His bluntness has surprised many -- and could transform the visit into a rousing success. <i>By SPIEGEL Staff</i> Fri, 23 Sep 2011 13:41:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/mission-clarity-pope-benedict-s-blunt-new-world-a-788054.html It has been billed as Pope Benedict XVI's most difficult trip abroad to date. But so far in Germany, the pope has not sought to shy away from controversy. His bluntness has surprised many -- and could transform the visit into a rousing success. By SPIEGEL Staff ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-pope-in-germany-financial-crisis-religion-and-a-bit-of-protest-a-787878.html#ref=rss In Germany on Thursday, Pope Benedict XVI wasted no time in touching on one of the main themes of his papacy: declining religiosity. But he also chatted with Chancellor Angela Merkel about the financial crisis and said he understands the protests surrounding his visit. Thu, 22 Sep 2011 17:04:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-pope-in-germany-financial-crisis-religion-and-a-bit-of-protest-a-787878.html In Germany on Thursday, Pope Benedict XVI wasted no time in touching on one of the main themes of his papacy: declining religiosity. But he also chatted with Chancellor Angela Merkel about the financial crisis and said he understands the protests surrounding his visit.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-pope-comes-home-benedict-criticizes-lack-of-religiosity-in-germany-a-787791.html#ref=rss Pope Benedict XVI arrived in Berlin on Thursday morning to kick-off a four-day trip to Germany. He was welcomed by President Christian Wulff and Chancellor Angela Merkel ahead of a highly anticipated speech before the German parliament. He said he was unbothered by the massive criticism which preceded the visit. Thu, 22 Sep 2011 12:29:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-pope-comes-home-benedict-criticizes-lack-of-religiosity-in-germany-a-787791.html Pope Benedict XVI arrived in Berlin on Thursday morning to kick-off a four-day trip to Germany. He was welcomed by President Christian Wulff and Chancellor Angela Merkel ahead of a highly anticipated speech before the German parliament. He said he was unbothered by the massive criticism which preceded the visit.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/disillusioned-german-catholics-the-pope-s-difficult-visit-to-his-homeland-a-787314.html#ref=rss When Joseph Ratzinger became pope in 2005, Catholics in Germany joyfully celebrated the first German pope in almost 500 years. Since then, the euphoria has turned to disappointment and disillusionment. Benedict XVI's visit to Germany this week will do little to heal the deep divide between conservatives and reformers in the German Church. <i>By SPIEGEL Staff.</i> Tue, 20 Sep 2011 16:17:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/disillusioned-german-catholics-the-pope-s-difficult-visit-to-his-homeland-a-787314.html When Joseph Ratzinger became pope in 2005, Catholics in Germany joyfully celebrated the first German pope in almost 500 years. Since then, the euphoria has turned to disappointment and disillusionment. Benedict XVI's visit to Germany this week will do little to heal the deep divide between conservatives and reformers in the German Church. By SPIEGEL Staff. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/spiegel-interview-with-top-jesuit-priest-we-kept-quiet-about-sexual-abuse-for-too-long-a-776775.html#ref=rss Jesuit priest Klaus Mertes, the director of Berlin's Canisius College, sent shock waves through the German Catholic Church in January 2010 when he exposed systematic sexual abuse at the elite school. In a SPIEGEL interview, he talks about the Church's response to the abuse scandal and his anger at the Vatican. Thu, 28 Jul 2011 07:42:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/spiegel-interview-with-top-jesuit-priest-we-kept-quiet-about-sexual-abuse-for-too-long-a-776775.html Jesuit priest Klaus Mertes, the director of Berlin's Canisius College, sent shock waves through the German Catholic Church in January 2010 when he exposed systematic sexual abuse at the elite school. In a SPIEGEL interview, he talks about the Church's response to the abuse scandal and his anger at the Vatican.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/sex-abuse-in-the-catholic-church-bishops-open-personnel-files-to-investigators-a-773717.html#ref=rss The credibility of the Catholic Church in Germany has suffered enormously as a result of allegations of sexual abuse. Now the country's bishops have ordered investigations of an unprecedented scale in Europe. SPIEGEL has learned the church will provide external investigators with access to personnel files in all 27 dioceses. Mon, 11 Jul 2011 16:38:21 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/sex-abuse-in-the-catholic-church-bishops-open-personnel-files-to-investigators-a-773717.html The credibility of the Catholic Church in Germany has suffered enormously as a result of allegations of sexual abuse. Now the country's bishops have ordered investigations of an unprecedented scale in Europe. SPIEGEL has learned the church will provide external investigators with access to personnel files in all 27 dioceses. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/sins-of-the-flesh-church-shaken-by-sexual-abuse-allegations-in-africa-a-773255.html#ref=rss Following a series of abuse cases in Europe and North America, revelations have emerged of sexual abuse by priests in a number of African countries. The case of Father Renato Kizito, who is accused of raping young men in Kenya, shows how local power structures work in favor of the clerics. Fri, 08 Jul 2011 17:33:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/sins-of-the-flesh-church-shaken-by-sexual-abuse-allegations-in-africa-a-773255.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/munich-abuse-case-archbishop-ratzinger-failed-to-deal-with-suspected-pedophile-priest-a-731683.html#ref=rss New documents show how the former Archbishop Joseph Ratzinger -- now Pope Benedict XVI -- and his successor Reinhard Marx failed to properly deal with a suspected pedophile. Despite massive allegations of abuse, the archdiocese allowed the priest to continue working with children. Mon, 29 Nov 2010 09:53:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/munich-abuse-case-archbishop-ratzinger-failed-to-deal-with-suspected-pedophile-priest-a-731683.html New documents show how the former Archbishop Joseph Ratzinger -- now Pope Benedict XVI -- and his successor Reinhard Marx failed to properly deal with a suspected pedophile. Despite massive allegations of abuse, the archdiocese allowed the priest to continue working with children.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/interview-with-gay-theologian-david-berger-a-large-proportion-of-catholic-clerics-and-trainee-priests-are-homosexual-a-730520.html#ref=rss David Berger, a gay theologian who has written a book about his experiences as a senior theologian in the Catholic Church, speaks to SPIEGEL about homophobia and the church's shift to the right. Mon, 22 Nov 2010 18:50:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/interview-with-gay-theologian-david-berger-a-large-proportion-of-catholic-clerics-and-trainee-priests-are-homosexual-a-730520.html David Berger, a gay theologian who has written a book about his experiences as a senior theologian in the Catholic Church, speaks to SPIEGEL about homophobia and the church's shift to the right.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-world-from-berlin-new-catholic-abuse-guidelines-are-only-a-first-step-a-715076.html#ref=rss The Catholic Church in Germany has introduced new guidelines on dealing with allegations of suspected sexual abuse. They are intended to get police involved more quickly and prevent cases from being covered up. Media commentators feel the new rules do not go far enough.  Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:11:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-world-from-berlin-new-catholic-abuse-guidelines-are-only-a-first-step-a-715076.html The Catholic Church in Germany has introduced new guidelines on dealing with allegations of suspected sexual abuse. They are intended to get police involved more quickly and prevent cases from being covered up. Media commentators feel the new rules do not go far enough. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/did-zollitsch-hire-a-pedophile-priest-german-catholic-leader-subject-of-criminal-investigation-a-698373.html#ref=rss A German public prosecutor has launched a criminal investigation into the chairman of the Catholic Church's governing body in Germany. Archbishop Robert Zollitsch, prosecutors believe, hired a priest he knew had committed sex crimes. Wed, 02 Jun 2010 17:54:19 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/did-zollitsch-hire-a-pedophile-priest-german-catholic-leader-subject-of-criminal-investigation-a-698373.html A German public prosecutor has launched a criminal investigation into the chairman of the Catholic Church's governing body in Germany. Archbishop Robert Zollitsch, prosecutors believe, hired a priest he knew had committed sex crimes.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/pope-accepts-resignation-first-bishop-accused-of-sexual-abuse-in-germany-a-694093.html#ref=rss The pope has accepted the resignation of a bishop at the center of the abuse scandal in Germany. Walter Mixa, the former bishop of Augsburg, is accused of having committed violence against minors and financial irregularities. Now allegations of sexual abuse are surfacing. Mon, 10 May 2010 18:48:31 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/pope-accepts-resignation-first-bishop-accused-of-sexual-abuse-in-germany-a-694093.html The pope has accepted the resignation of a bishop at the center of the abuse scandal in Germany. Walter Mixa, the former bishop of Augsburg, is accused of having committed violence against minors and financial irregularities. Now allegations of sexual abuse are surfacing.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-bishop-steps-down-the-inflation-of-victimhood-a-690789.html#ref=rss Bishop Walter Mixa, who submitted his resignation Thursday amid accusations of violence and financial irregularities, had to go. But the Catholic Church is mistaken if it believes that it has earned itself some breathing space. The abuse debate will not be silenced. Fri, 23 Apr 2010 14:24:50 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-bishop-steps-down-the-inflation-of-victimhood-a-690789.html Bishop Walter Mixa, who submitted his resignation Thursday amid accusations of violence and financial irregularities, had to go. But the Catholic Church is mistaken if it believes that it has earned itself some breathing space. The abuse debate will not be silenced.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/catholic-abuse-scandal-bishop-resigns-amid-claims-of-violence-and-financial-irregularities-a-690570.html#ref=rss On Thursday the Catholic Church in Augsburg confirmed their bishop, Walter Mixa had sent a letter of resignation to the pope. Mixa has been accused of violence against children and there are investigations into financial irregularities. News of his resignation has been welcomed by almost everyone, even the Church itself. Thu, 22 Apr 2010 16:08:30 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/catholic-abuse-scandal-bishop-resigns-amid-claims-of-violence-and-financial-irregularities-a-690570.html On Thursday the Catholic Church in Augsburg confirmed their bishop, Walter Mixa had sent a letter of resignation to the pope. Mixa has been accused of violence against children and there are investigations into financial irregularities. News of his resignation has been welcomed by almost everyone, even the Church itself.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-world-from-berlin-anyone-who-thinks-like-mixa-shouldn-t-be-a-bishop-a-690565.html#ref=rss Embattled German Bishop Walter Mixa submitted his offer to resign to the Vatican on Wednesday amid allegations that he physically abused children and misappropriated Church funds. German commentators welcome the move, saying it sparks hopes of greater transparency in the Catholic Church's abuse investigation. Thu, 22 Apr 2010 14:13:57 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-world-from-berlin-anyone-who-thinks-like-mixa-shouldn-t-be-a-bishop-a-690565.html Embattled German Bishop Walter Mixa submitted his offer to resign to the Vatican on Wednesday amid allegations that he physically abused children and misappropriated Church funds. German commentators welcome the move, saying it sparks hopes of greater transparency in the Catholic Church's abuse investigation.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-bishop-s-silence-german-abuse-victim-accuses-catholic-church-of-failing-to-investigate-a-689763.html#ref=rss Despite hotlines and leaders' promises, many victims of sexual abuse within the Catholic Church remain disappointed. In Aachen, Germany, an alleged sexual abuse victim claims Church authorities have failed to follow up on claims that he was sexually molested by a priest right up until 2007. Tue, 20 Apr 2010 12:04:51 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-bishop-s-silence-german-abuse-victim-accuses-catholic-church-of-failing-to-investigate-a-689763.html Despite hotlines and leaders' promises, many victims of sexual abuse within the Catholic Church remain disappointed. In Aachen, Germany, an alleged sexual abuse victim claims Church authorities have failed to follow up on claims that he was sexually molested by a priest right up until 2007.]]>