The Church abuse scandal has now touched Pope Benedict XVI directly with an allegation that he was directly involved in a decision to allow an abusive priest to continue pastoral duties — leading to additional crimes against children.

When the priest was found to have abused children, he was sent into therapy in Munich rather than reported to the police. He had forced an eleven-year-old boy to perform oral sex. If true, that would make him a child rapist but the Church officials covered up the crime. Not only did he continue to abuse children, but he remains a priest in Upper Bavaria. As the cardinal in the area, the Pope approved the plan. In 1986, the priest was convicted of child abuse and given an 18-month suspended jail sentence and fined DM 4,000 (£1,800 today).

The Church is facing an increase in such allegations in Europe, including 170 allegations of child abuse by German Catholic priests.

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