After nearly a year of investigation, the diocese of Trier has unveiled its conclusive findings on the allegations of abuse against clergyman Edmund Dillinger. According to the report published on Tuesday, Dillinger perpetrated sexual abuse against children and adolescents in parishes across Saarland and several African countries spanning from 1960 to 2018. The extensive investigation, involving analysis of thousands of photos and documents, as well as interviews with survivors, paints a harrowing picture of the abuse endured by victims. Among other things, the photos, which were taken on outings with altar servers or youth groups, document sexualised positions or sexually motivated gestures between the priest and his victims.
The report highlights Dillinger’s duplicitous existence, as well as the complicity of diocesan authorities who were aware of the allegations but failed to take appropriate action. It was not until 2012 that the vicar general and Dillinger engaged in a discussion about the allegations, prompting involvement from the public prosecutor’s office. As a result of these efforts, Dillinger was finally prohibited from contact with minors in 2012, putting an end to his plans to establish a scout group. Accusations against Dillinger first surfaced in the 1960s and 70s, yet no decisive action was taken, leaving the perpetrator shielded while the victims suffered in silence.
Dillinger passed away in 2022 at the age of 87, evading accountability for his actions in a court of law.
