Title: Allegations of Sexual Misconduct Against Clergy Members in Austria and Switzerland
In a recent development, Josef Henfling, a resident of Spalt near Nuremberg, Germany, has filed criminal complaints against several clergy members in Austria and Switzerland. The accused include former Bishop Walter Mixa, who served as Bishop of Eichstätt and Augsburg before resigning in 2010 due to allegations of beatings, as well as three other priests named Father Alfred, Juan, and Andreas.
Henfling claims that between 1997 and 2012, he was sexually harassed and abused by these priests. The alleged incidents took place when Henfling was placed in a foster family in Rosenheim and later sent to the "Episcopal Seminary" in Zwettl, Austria. Wolfgang Rothe, a Munich priest, recounts that there were almost daily sexual assaults at the seminary, including fondling, French kissing, and genital contact.
After leaving the order in 2000, Henfling moved to St. Pölten and Vienna, where he was further sexually assaulted by Father Juan at Rosenau Castle and Father Andreas in Switzerland. Rothe reports that there were repeated sexual assaults in the form of hugs and kisses. According to Rothe, at least one of these incidents can be characterized as an attempted rape due to the violence involved.
The public prosecutor's offices in Krems an der Donau (Austria), Graubünden, and St. Gallen are currently investigating Henfling's complaints. It's essential to note that, as of my latest update in 2023, the current status of these investigations is not publicly available. For the most recent and accurate information, consult official legal or news sources specific to these cases.
Henfling has since left the Catholic Church and lives on citizen's income, having fallen into a deep depression between 2012 and 2021. He reported the alleged abuse to the church in 2013, 2022, and 2023, but no priests he confided in reported the matter.
It's crucial to acknowledge that, while these allegations are severe, they have not been proven in a court of law. As such, it's essential to approach this topic with a critical and informed perspective, relying on reliable sources of information for up-to-date developments.
Source: bild.de (updated in 2023)
Enrichment Data:
As of my last update in 2023, investigations related to clergy abuse in various countries, including Austria and Switzerland, are still ongoing. These cases can be complex and involve multiple parties, so it's essential to stay informed by consulting recent news articles or official statements from relevant authorities. The current status of the investigations against Bishop Mixa and the other priests named by Henfling is not publicly available at this time. For the most recent and accurate information, consult official legal or news sources specific to these cases.
