Four priests and two nuns who once worked in the Regensburg diocese of Pope Benedict XVI's native Bavaria are being investigated on allegations of sexual abuse from decades ago, the diocese said Monday, the latest reports in a growing scandal surrounding the Catholic Church in Germany. The allegations, some of which have already been cited by the diocese and in media reports in the past two weeks, are among hundreds of claims of child sexual abuse that have emerged in recent months in Catholic institutions in Germany, the Netherlands and elsewhere in Europe.
The allegations from Regensburg have held particular attention because most stem from boarding schools tied to its renowned 1000-year-old Domspatzen choir, which the pope's brother, Georg Ratzinger, directed for nearly 30 years.
Msgr. Ratzinger, 86, hasn't been implicated in any allegations and has said that he was never aware of such reports during his tenure from 1964 to 1993.
Benedict XVI, who over the weekend apologized to victims of an abuse scandal within Ireland's Catholic Church, has come under criticism for not specifically addressing the wave of allegations in his native Germany, where he was archbishop of Munich between 1977 and 1982 before heading to the Vatican.
Since the Regensburg allegations came to light earlier this month, the diocese has pursued the claims, encouraging victims to come forward.
It has been investigating the allegations itself and forwarding information to state prosecutors, diocese spokesman Clemens Neck said.
Seven people have made allegations of abuse against the six people now under investigation, he said, without revealing details.
Others have come forward with allegations concerning people now dead.
"We deeply regret what the spiritual leaders and church members did to these children and youths, and we ask for forgiveness on their behalf," he said at a press conference arranged to provide an update on the diocese investigation.
Of the six accused of sexual abuse, one has been linked to the Regensburger Domspatzen—a school assistant who later became a priest.
The priest was stripped of his duties last week after a former student came forward with accusations.
All of the allegations, though, exceed the statutes of limitations for criminal prosecution: All but one stem from before the mid-1970s; the other dates to 1984.
The two nuns, Mr. Neck added, are elderly and suffering from dementia, and it was nearly impossible to interview them.
The diocese said it would turn over all the information to prosecutors regardless.
"That is up to prosecutors to decide," Mr. Neck said.
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SIC: WSJ