This week, German law enforcement officials conducted searches at several buildings of the Archdiocese of Cologne as part of an ongoing investigation into allegations of perjury made against Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki, the archbishop.
Newsdesk (27/06/2023 19:55, Gaudium Press) The perjury allegations relate to claims that Woelki provided false testimony regarding his knowledge of clergy sexual abuse reports within the archdiocese.
The investigation specifically focuses on testimony related to a case of abuse committed by a deceased priest in 2019. Woelki has been accused of being aware of the case earlier than he previously stated under oath. The search of the archdiocese’s business documents and emails aims to establish the veracity or falsehood of the perjury accusation against Woelki.
Approximately 30 police officers and four public prosecutors conducted simultaneous searches at six locations, including the premises of the vicariate general, the archbishop’s house, and the business premises of the IT service provider managing the archdiocese’s email traffic. The searches were reportedly carried out without incident.
The archdiocese’s press office confirmed the searches and asked the public to refrain from making premature judgments during the ongoing investigation. The prosecutor’s office emphasized the importance of observing the presumption of innocence during the proceedings.
It is important to note that the investigation is focused on the perjury allegations and does not involve charges of covering up or participating in acts of abuse against Woelki. The cardinal has faced significant public pressure to step down as the leader of the Archdiocese of Cologne, Germany’s largest and reportedly wealthiest diocese. In September 2021, Pope Francis confirmed Woelki in his position following an apostolic visitation of the archdiocese and granted him a period of leave. Although Woelki submitted his resignation upon his return in March 2022, Pope Francis has yet to accept it.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from CNA
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