The German diocese of Münster has provisionally retired a priest from Recklinghausen following his criminal conviction for possession of child and youth pornographic material. The measure includes a reduction in his income and a total prohibition from exercising any priestly ministry or pastoral activity.
According to the same diocese, the court sentenced him in 2024 to one year and three months in prison with a suspended sentence after it was established that he possessed around 2,500 files of pedophilic content. Additionally, he was required to make a financial contribution to a child protection association and to undergo treatment with a specialized therapist.
Prior suspension and canonical process underway
The diocese reacted at the beginning of the civil investigation, suspending the priest from his duties and later relieving him of his position as parish priest. Following the final sentence, his provisional retirement has now been decreed.
In parallel, a canonical procedure will be initiated. The diocese has reported that the Vatican has transferred jurisdiction of the case to the ecclesiastical tribunal of Münster, but for the moment, the start date of the process has not been specified.