Fr Joseph Kentenich Archives reveal Schonstatt movement founder accused of abuse
Documents uncovered from the recently opened archives of the pontificate of Pope Pius XII revealed allegations of sexual abuse and abuse of power against the founder of the Schonstatt movement, Fr Joseph Kentenich.
Reports of the apostolic visitation made in the early 1950s written by Dutch Jesuit Father Sebastiaan Tromp were made known by German scholar Alexandra von Teuffenbach on July 2 after she wrote a letter regarding her discovery to German newspaper Die Tagespost and Italian journalist Sandro Magister.
Von Teuffenbach, a former professor of church history at Rome’s Pontifical Regina Apostolorum University, said the testimonies, letters and conversations Fr Tromp had with members of the Schonstatt Sisters of Mary, as well as Fr Kentenich, revealed “a situation of complete subjugation of the nuns, concealed in a certain way by a sort of family structure applied to the work”.
“Kentenich was the ‘father’, the founder with absolute power, often equated with God,” von Teuffenbach wrote to Magister. “So much so that in many expressions and prayers it is not clear whether these are addressed to God the Father or to the founder himself.”
Pope praises UN for cease fire resolution
Pope Francis applauded the United Nations Security Council on Sunday for its recent resolution calling for an immediate global ceasefire amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“The call for a global and immediate ceasefire, which would allow the peace and security necessary to provide the urgently needed humanitarian assistance, is commendable,” Pope Francis said after his Angelus prayer on July 5.
“I hope that this decision will be implemented effectively and promptly for the good of many people who are suffering.
“May this security council resolution become a courageous first step towards a peaceful future,” he said.
The ceasefire resolution applies to conflicts in Yemen, Syria, Libya, South Sudan, and Congo. It demands “a durable humanitarian pause for at least 90 consecutive days” to ensure that medical and humanitarian aid will reach those in need as the coronavirus continues to spread.
Cardinal Parolin meets with Israel and US ambassador
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, met with the US and Israeli ambassadors to the Vatican to express concern that “possible unilateral actions” on their part would further jeopardise peace in the region.
“The Holy See reiterates that the state of Israel and the state of Palestine have the right to exist and to live in peace and security, within internationally recognised borders,” said a statement from the Vatican press office.
“It thus appeals to the parties to do everything possible to reopen the process of direct negotiation, on the basis of the relevant resolutions of the United Nations, and aided by measures that can re-establish reciprocal confidence,” it said.
According to Reuters, Cardinal Parolin met separately with Callista Gingrich, US ambassador, and Oren David, Israeli ambassador.
Israel has said it plans to unilaterally annex parts of the West Bank, which is part of Palestinian territory, as part of a peace plan put forward by the U.S. administration.
Michelle Bachelet, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said on June 29 that international law is very clear that “annexation is illegal”.