Allegations of perjury: robbery of archbishop in Cologne (D)

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The purpose of the searches included securing documents related to statements made by Woelkis, in which he allegedly did not tell the truth. This has been announced by the public prosecutor and the police in Cologne.

According to the researchers, the rooms of the vicariate general, the office and the archiepiscopal house were searched, as well as the premises of the IT service provider that manages the archdiocese’s e-mail traffic. In addition to Cologne, one object was also searched in Kassel and Lohfelden in Hesse.

Woelki is under criminal investigation on suspicion of perjury and false oaths. The question is when Woelki was aware of allegations of abuse against former Sternsinger boss Winfried Pilz. In a criminal complaint filed by a private individual, he is accused of making false statements in an affidavit before the Cologne court in March. Woelki had rejected all allegations.

The Archdiocese of Cologne is the largest and richest Catholic diocese in the German-speaking world. In the context of the abuse scandals in the Catholic Church, the district court of Cologne last week ordered the archdiocese to pay compensation of 300,000 euros to a victim of abuse. (SDA)

Source: Blick