From 1945 to the present time, they identified 122 priests and deacons, who are accused of violence in 349 of those affected, as the University of Osnabrück annused.
There are concrete indications of at least 60 additional parties. Thus, a minimum number of more than 400 affected persons are to be accepted as secure.
In addition, the researchers assume a high dark field.
The alleged actions covered the entire spectrum of sexualised violence – from violations of distance to severe sexual offences.
Diocese has violated its duties
The final report of the study confirmed the results of the breaches of duty of the diocese lines, it was further stated.
The scientists had already identified these in an interim report in September 2022. The diocese has violated its obligations to take action against suspicious clerics for a long time.
However, in recent times, especially after the presentation of the interim report, the researchers see improvements.
The obligation to help those affected, however, did not comply with the diocese until the recent past.
Benefits to those affected too low
"A learning curve is recognizable in the Bipicy of Osnabrück, which shows upwards," explained project leader Hans Schulte-Nölke.
"However, the services provided to those affected are still lagging behind what the state courts would arise in clear cases," says the legal scholar.
The study was commissioned by the diocese at the University of Osnabrück in spring 2021.
The presentation of the interim results 2022 was a major reason for the early retirement of the long-standing Bishop Franz-Josef Bode in March 2023.
The diocese leadership around the new Bishop Dominicus Meier wants to comment on the final results next week.
The Diocese of Osnabrück includes a good 500,000 Catholics in western Lower Saxony and parts of Bremen.