Abuse Allegedly Occurred in Ratzinger Brother’s Choir

By Catholics for Choice April 25, 2016

In early January, 231 alleged cases of abuse surfaced in relation to the Regensburger Domspatzen, a choir, and two associated schools, all located in Bavaria, Germany.

Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI (left) is pictured with his older brother, Msgr. Georg Ratzinger, at a 2009 concert by the Regensburger Domspatzen, once directed by the elder Ratzinger, where abuse accusations have recently surfaced. © REUTERS/OSSERVATORE ROMANO

The choir has existed for 1,000 years, but Germany’s Deutsche Welle reported that many of the possible cases occurred between 1964 and 1994 under leader Msgr. Georg Ratzinger, older brother of Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI. According to estimates published by Catholic News Agency, one-third of the choir probably suffered some form of physical abuse.

Ratzinger said that he had heard of physical abuse committed by the late Johann Meier, but “did not have the feeling at the time that I should do something about it,” Religion News reported. The monsignor also told Germany’s Passauer Neue Presse, “The problem of sexual abuse that has now come to light was never spoken of.”

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