Will the Swiss Nuncio allow sexual abuse investigators to examine his archives?

Nuncio Krebs is now examining possibility of access to the Embassy archives

Until now, the papal nuncio to Switzerland and Liechtenstein, Martin Krebs, had refused to grant researchers access to the archives of the Papal Embassy in Bern. Now he promises to examine this question in more detail.

When the pilot study was presented at the University of Zurich on September 12th, the papal embassy in Bern was already criticized for its archive policy.

The project leaders Monika Dommann and Marietta Meier reported that they had asked the Papal Nunciature in Bern for access to the archive. But Nuncio Martin Krebs refused this - citing diplomatic secrecy.

Access is “essential” for researchers

Dommann and Meier regretted this rejection. “In an internationally run organization like the Catholic Church, access to the Vatican files is essential,” emphasized Dommann. She also reported on a pending request to the Vatican.

Bishop Joseph Maria Bonnemain then assured the media: “I will personally advocate for Pope Francis to open the archives.”

Affected organizations and parishes such as Adligenswil put further pressure on the nuncio in this regard. All of this has now apparently had an effect.

Krebs wants to address dilemma

According to the current “Sonntagszeitung”, Martin Krebs has now assured that access to the embassy archives will be checked. In a letter to the newspaper - with a copy to Bishop Bonnemain - Krebs said: "There is a dilemma between the diplomatic protection of the archive and the investigation of abuses in the church."

And he added: “I can assure you that I have begun to work with experts to find viable solutions to deal with this dilemma.”

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