The Schoenstatt movement in Germany has asked people who knew its founder, Father Joseph Kentenich, to share memories and documents as research into allegations against him continues, including any experiences of possible abuse.
In 2020, abuse allegations against Kentenich became public, and the Diocese of Trier suspended his beatification cause in 2022.
The appeal, published Oct. 15 on the movement's German website, explicitly invites accounts of experiences "perceived as crossing boundaries or as abusive."
"Historical research into the allegations against Father Joseph Kentenich is in full swing and far from complete," the movement said.
Schoenstatt has a contact page for people seeking to participate.
"Incriminating evidence may be confirmed; it may equally turn out that allegations must be seen in a different light and that the suspicion against him cannot be substantiated," the organization said.
Submissions will be "collected, treated confidentially and not prejudged." Because the research will likely take years, it said, "hasty judgments should be avoided."
"For many people in Schoenstatt, Father Kentenich is one of the formative spiritual figures of their lives," the movement said. That bond "is not devalued by open research — any more than open research could erase negative experiences."
Accusations raised in 2020
In 2020, Church historian Alexandra von Teuffenbach accused Kentenich of engaging in manipulative and coercive behavior with members of the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary, citing files from a 1950s apostolic visitation.
The movement rejected the accusations. "We firmly reject the accusation that Joseph Kentenich was guilty of sexual abuse of members of the Institute of the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary," its leadership said in a July 2020 statement.
In May 2022, Bishop Stephan Ackermann of Trier suspended the cause, opened in 1975, after consulting the Vatican.
"The discussions of the last two years have shown that there is a need for in-depth research into the person and work of Joseph Kentenich," he said at the time. The diocese said the suspension was not a judgment on Kentenich's life and work.
Born in 1885 and ordained a Pallottine priest in 1910, Kentenich founded Schoenstatt in 1914 in Vallendar, near Koblenz. After a Vatican-ordered visitation, he was separated from the movement in 1951 and spent most of the next 14 years in Milwaukee. He died in 1968.
According to the movement, Schoenstatt is present in more than 110 countries worldwide today.
This story was first published by CNA Deutsch, the German-language sister service of EWTN News, and has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
