Pastoral assistant could no longer stand covering up abuse
As she no longer wants to be "part of the system", pastoral assistant Ilka Schmeing is ending her service.
She herself had kept silent about abuse because an auxiliary bishop had obliged her to do so.
Schmeing worked for the Diocese of Münster for 28 years, most recently in Isselburg in Westmünsterland.
As she was not courageous enough and kept silent about abuse, a pastoral assistant in the diocese of Münster is ending her service after 28 years. "I, too, have abandoned those affected and have not been at their side because the church leadership lied to me and many colleagues," Ilka Schmeing wrote in a personal statement on Facebook.
The 57-year-old had most recently been working in the parish of St. Franziskus, Isselburg (Borken district) for almost twelve years. The parish was informed of her move today.
"The auxiliary bishop lied to us".
Schmeing explained" that her decision was triggered by the publication of the abuse report for the diocese of Münster in June 2022. She speaks of the "leadership failure of the church" by covering up and by not being there for those affected, "to address the systemic deficiencies and to counteract the abuse of power".
She confesses: "I myself am part of the system. The concrete background: In 1996, she was active in Coesfeld when a particularly serious case of sexual abuse by a priest was dealt with there. The auxiliary bishop responsible for the region at the time, Josef Voß (+ 2009), spoke with all the pastoral staff at the time, Schmeing recounts.
"And he ordered us to keep quiet because that was what the relatives wanted. But that was simply a lie." The chaplain admits: "We were too gullible back then, I was perhaps too naïve, that wouldn't happen to me and us today." And she emphasises, "I don't want to and can't be part of this system anymore."
"My home is broken"
"I loved my job," Schmeing tells us. This experience and her decision do not change anything about her faith. And yet: "The Roman Catholic Church was always home for me. That has broken down." There is a need for more honesty and acceptance of responsibility, admission of guilt and consistency in the church. She is now taking this step - "I would wish the same of many a bishop in Germany".
If she were "only frustrated because we have been fighting unsuccessfully for decades for more women's rights in the church", then she would stay and keep fighting, says Schmeing. "But dealing with abuse in church leadership has a different dimension for me. That's why I have to leave." Gritting her teeth until retirement - that is not what she wants. At the same time, she emphasises that she has "met with understanding for my step" from those responsible for personnel in Münster.
What will she do in the future? "I have no idea," says Ilka Schmeing. "That remains to be seen."
A proper pilgrim's hymn for Kevelaer
Hail Mary,
You bright and morning star
The radiance that surrounds you
proclaims the Lord:
Clean from every blemish
You shall be for man's salvation
the Mother of the Most High.
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