After the serious allegations of abuse cover-up against his predecessors Robert Zollitsch and Oskar Saier, the current Archbishop of Freiburg, Stephan Burger, had their bishop portraits in the diocese headquarters taken down on Thursday. The oil paintings were displayed in a central position on the corridor walls next to the bishop’s office.
Previously, abuse victims had spoken out in favour of the paintings’ removal. When presenting a comprehensive report on Tuesday, Burger announced that he would think about how to deal with the portraits. He said he walked past Zollitsch‘s painting every day.
The study, drawn up by independent experts, reveals massive misconduct on the part of the former diocesan leadership. Archbishops Robert Zollitsch (2003-2013) and Oskar Saier (1978-2002) are accused of disregarding victims and protecting perpetrators. Zollitsch was also chairman of the Bishops’ Conference from 2008 to 2014.
Originally reported by KNA Germany.
