With a sociological-historical study, researchers want to work scientifically to collaborate on the allegations of sexualised violence against the former Essen bishop, Cardinal Franz Hengsbach (1910-1991).
Previous processing studies have often examined certain regions, such as a diocese, said the Hamburg historian Thomas Großbölting. "This time a biography will be in the foreground. We hope that with this new form of investigation we will be able to set an innovative accent again."
A year ago, the Essen and Paderborn dioceses had made two allegations of abuse against the Hengsbach, who were popular among many revered and still today as a lawyer for the workers and miners in the Ruhr area. They refer to the 1950s and 1960s, but were only reported later and initially declared implausible.
In the meantime, seven further indications of possible sexual violence have been received by the diocese of Essen, Vicar General Klaus Pfeffer said.
The accusations refer, on the one hand, to Hengsbach's term as the first bishop of the then newly founded Ruhr bishop of Essen (1958-1990), and on the other hand to the time before as a priest and auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of Paderborn (until 1958).
Hengsbach also had many other important roles in the Catholic Church: he was a military bishop (1961-1978), general secretary and assistant in the Central Committee of German Catholics (ZdK, 1947-1968) and chairman of the Latin America Relief Agency Adveniat. All five institutions have jointly commissioned the study.
The Institute for Practical Research and Project Consulting in Munich and the Research Centre for Contemporary History in Hamburg were commissioned. Both were already involved in several ecclesiastical abuse studies.
"Not only the production of a scandalous story"
The social science part of the study wants to process the current reports in the diocese of Essen and the handling of the diocese managers, said sociologist Helga Dill.
However, it is also about whether and to what extent Hengsbach could be proven in his other fields of activity abuse or cover-up.
According to the historian David Rüschenschmidt, the historian David Rüschenschmidt wants to contribute to the person Franz Hengsbach, who goes beyond the allegations of abuse. The reasons for example are how Hengsbach positioned himself to social and political challenges, what priestly image he had and how he thought about sexual morality.
"Our intention is not only the production of a scandalous story." Rather, a historical biography was to be created.
The researchers asked all people who have experienced sexualised violence through Hengsbach to contact them.
They are also interested in the statements of contemporary witnesses who have personally experienced the clergy.
According to the researchers, the study costs 785,000 euros.
They want to present final results in autumn 2027.
In this previous way, interim results are to be published.