Church Sex Scandal

Report: Pope Allowed Pedophile to Work

Confirmed decision to send the priest to therapy.

Pope Benedict XVI reportedly took part in sending a pedophile priest to therapy instead of dismissing him in 1980. Despite repeat offenses and convictions of child abuse, the priest continues to maintain his role in Germany's Upper Bavaria. The priest was sent to Munich for therapy in 1980 after being accused of forcing an 11-year-old-boy to perform oral sex. The pope, who was at that time a cardinal, had allegedly approved the decision to “accommodate the priest in a rectory while the therapy took place.” The vicar general of the archdiocese has stepped forward, saying he has taken “full responsibility” for the priest’s move back to pastoral work and said the pope had not been aware of his decision due to the 1,000 priests in the diocese at the time.