Priest at Heiligenkreuz a suspect in poison pen letter investigation by Austrian police. He denies the allegations.
Heiligenkreuz: Suspected letter author investigated
The public prosecutor's office has now questioned the alleged author of an anonymous letter containing serious allegations at Heiligenkreuz Abbey. He is believed to be a priest at the abbey, but he denies all allegations. The abbey promises consequences if the allegations are true.
The State Criminal Police Office has been investigating Heiligenkreuz Abbey (Baden district) since June – based on an anonymous letter sent to several institutions in which a named priest is accused of abuse and violation of the seal of confession. As the ORF learned on Wednesday, there are apparently initial results of the investigation.
Erich Habitzl, spokesperson for the Wiener Neustadt public prosecutor's office, confirmed to the ORF that the alleged author of the letter containing the serious allegations has been located and questioned.
According to the letter, it is said to be a priest at Heiligenkreuz Abbey, who, however, denies all allegations, according to Habitzl. In response to an ORF inquiry, the Heiligenkreuz Abbey stated that there would of course be consequences if the allegations were true. The public prosecutor's investigation is continuing.
Vatican announces Apostolic Visitation
After the case became known, the Abbey filed a complaint for slander and libel. The Vatican also announced its intention to conduct an Apostolic Visitation of the abbey. According to the letter announcing this visit, the dicastery—a kind of ministry—had received some information concerning the abbey's leadership and administration.
Source
Cathcon coverage of the whole saga to date including the Visitation and the Waldstein Case
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