ARD Radiofeature Explores the Displacement of Priests Accused of Abuse
ARD Sounds investigates how Catholic priests accused of sexual abuse were often relocated abroad, evading prosecution with the complicity of church officials.
On August 3, 2026, ARD Sounds is set to release a compelling radio feature titled "Versetzt statt verurteilt – Katholische Priester, Missbrauch und Strafvereitlung." This investigation delves into the troubling practices surrounding Catholic priests accused of sexual abuse, highlighting how some were able to evade accountability by relocating abroad.
Based in Cologne, the feature reveals that numerous priests, facing allegations of sexual misconduct, managed to escape prosecution by moving to other countries, often with the knowledge of senior church officials. Evidence suggests that these transfers frequently resulted in the accused not facing legal consequences for their actions.
The investigation traces incidents as far back as the 2010s, uncovering overseas assignments for priests with histories of abuse. Voices from the host countries are increasingly calling for accountability and a thorough examination of these practices.
At the heart of the feature is the story of a priest and boarding school director from Bavaria, who was reassigned to Namibia in the mid-1970s after multiple reports of sexual abuse by boys in his care. One victim recalls the shock of discovering that the priest had vanished, and he expresses his dismay upon learning the circumstances that allowed this to happen.
Another case involves a priest from Eichstätt, who evaded a German arrest warrant by fleeing through a mission in Tanzania to Brazil, where he served in a poor, remote area. Documents reviewed by the feature's author reveal that high-ranking church officials were aware of his situation.
The practice of relocating accused priests is not limited to Germany. Spanish Jesuits were also transferred to Bolivia amid allegations of abuse at a school in Cochabamba, where numerous children reportedly suffered at their hands. Hundreds of victims have come forward, urging the European church to acknowledge its responsibility for these injustices.
Gabriele Knetsch, the investigative journalist behind this feature, has been researching sexual abuse within the Catholic Church for many years. She is also known for her co-authorship of the DLF podcast "Heilsverbrechen – der Fall Rupnik," which addresses abuse against nuns.
Listeners can access "Versetzt statt verurteilt – Katholische Priester, Missbrauch und Strafvereitlung" beginning on Monday, August 3, 2026, via ARD Sounds.
Linear Broadcast Schedule:
- hr2-kultur: Thursday, August 6, 2026, 15:04
- SWR Kultur: Friday, August 7, 2026, 15:05
- BR 2: Saturday, August 8, 2026, 13:05
- SR Kultur: Saturday, August 8, 2026, 17:04
- Bremen Zwei: Saturday, August 8, 2026, 18:05
- NDR Info: Sunday, August 9, 2026, 11:05
- NDR Spezial: Sunday, August 9, 2026, 11:05
- WDR 5: Sunday, August 9, 2026, 13:04
- MDR Kultur: Tuesday, August 11, 2026, 20:05
This feature is produced by BR for the ARD Radiofeature 2026.
