German religious orders 2020 to 2025: About 50 orders reported five or more victims, but according to the oversight committee some have not yet visibly entered a review process

In a 2020 survey by the German Conference of Superiors of Religious Orders, about 50 orders stated that they had five or more reports from victims. The committee for independent review reports for March 2024 to February 2025 that it was advising 17 communities. Some had not yet visibly entered a review process. The committee cites fear of conflict and the difficulty of naming esteemed members as perpetrators.

Period

2020-2025 (5 years)

Country

Germany

Institutions

German Conference of Superiors of Religious Orders

Category

Sexual abuse, Cover-up

Level of evidence

A Primary source · what does this mean?

Background

Response of the Church

1. The committee is currently advising 17 communities. According to the report, some orders have not yet visibly entered a review process. It cites fear of conflict with victims and the difficulty when esteemed members are named as accused or perpetrators.
   Evidence: Ausschuss für unabhängige Aufarbeitung sexualisierter Gewalt im Bereich von Ordensgemeinschaften, S. 12

   „Zudem berät der Ausschuss derzeit 17 Gemeinschaften.“

   Evidence: Ausschuss für unabhängige Aufarbeitung sexualisierter Gewalt im Bereich von Ordensgemeinschaften, S. 12

   „Einige Ordensgemeinschaften sind folglich bislang noch nicht erkennbar in einen“

See also

• 1945-2025 · 80 years

  Franciscans in Germany since 1945: Study identifies almost 100 accused members of the order; no proceedings were ever initiated proactively, perpetrators were transferred and abused again

  • Germany
  • Netherlands
  • Sexual abuse
  • Cover-up
• 1957-2013 · 56 years

  Franciscan Conventuals 1957 to 2013: In 1971 the order exerted massive influence on criminal proceedings against a boarding-school head in Bonn; parents were urged to withdraw the complaint

  • Germany
  • Sexual abuse
  • Cover-up

Original documents to read

1. Commission report
   Ausschuss für unabhängige Aufarbeitung sexualisierter Gewalt im Bereich von Ordensgemeinschaften: Tätigkeitsbericht des Ausschusses für unabhängige Aufarbeitung sexualisierter Gewalt im Bereich von Ordensgemeinschaften (AUAO), März 2024 bis Februar 2025, 1 January 2025. Original (retrieved 31 Oct 2026)

Last changed on 31 October 2026. Is something missing or wrong? Suggest an addition or correction.