Unlike in Germany, the Austrian model on prevention and reprocessing provides "that we have systematically recorded and documented data on perpetrators, accused and those affected," the Bishop of Innsbruck told the Tyrolean daily newspaper on Tuesday.
This data basis serves the consistent processing, prevention and further development of protection and support measures.
Since 2010, the Church in Austria has been accompanied externally by an independent victim protection lawyer. "This was an innovation perceived far beyond the country 15 years ago and has since proven itself for the reappraisal of the known cases," emphasizes the bishop.
Abuse-affected pastor went public
The Innsbruck pastor Anno Schulte-Herbrüggen (60) had declared in a TV interview in early December that he had been abused as a young man by a religious.
Subsequently, other affected people came forward. This had once again fueled the public discussion in Austria about abuse investigation and prevention.
Glettler explained that the three currently reported cases would be processed conscientiously. In addition, nothing is currently known.
He added: "There has been a consistent review and several calls in the past 15 years for those affected to report to the diocesan ombudsman's office. The goal is clear: Church places and facilities must be safe spaces."
Gletter reported on the request for conversations and pastoral care expressed by those affected.
"We want to comply with that," he said. For this purpose, training is needed for all priests and full-time or volunteer church employees. In addition, protection concepts for parishes and pastoral care areas would be developed. Here, one is currently in the implementation phase.