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In search of witnesses by name publication: The diocese of Aachen

Photo: Marius Becker/ dpa

In connection with sexualized violence, the diocese of Aachen has published the names of two deceased Catholic priests. Those affected and witnesses could turn to a hotline or use an online form, the diocese announced on Thursday in Aachen by public appeal.

The two pastors had attracted attention during their lifetime because of sexualized violence. Accordingly, they are the clergymen Leonhard Meurer and Dieter Wintz. According to the publication, both men still had contact with children and adolescents even after their deeds became known. By naming them, those affected could feel addressed and given the opportunity to report, the diocese announced.

Leonhard Meurer is a priest who died in 1991 at the age of 74. He is accused of "serious assaults of sexualized violence against underage girls." The allegations on file in the diocese of Aachen extend to the period between 1955 and 1960 during his work as a pastor in Eschweiler and Düren," the diocese announced. It is not known whether sexualized acts of violence were committed after 1960. In 1961, after the crimes became known, he was deprived of the office of pastor.

Stays in Africa despite travel ban

The man lived in three wide dioceses until his death. Everyone had been informed about the allegations. Although a travel ban was imposed on the priest, he had made numerous trips to Africa, said the diocese of Aachen.

The second case is about Dieter Wintz, who died in 2018 at the age of 80. The public prosecutor's office investigated him in 2003 for sexualized violence. There had been a voluntary disclosure, the proceedings were discontinued against a fine. The parish priest was retired.

Afterwards he worked for today's children's charity »Die Sternsinger« in the Philippines. When accusations arose again, the plant terminated the cooperation in 2006. In 2014, the diocesan court of Aachen prohibited him from working as a priest. According to the diocese, the allegations spanned a period from 1977 to 2013.

him/dpa