Schönstatt Movement seeks testimony on founder's abuse allegations

The Schönstatt Movement is inviting people to share testimonies, letters, notes, or documents regarding its founder, Father Joseph Kentenich, to assist an ongoing historical investigation. In a note published October 15, Heinrich Brehm stated that the movement is seeking information about experiences involving abuse or the violation of boundaries.

The investigation follows the 2022 suspension of Kentenich's beatification cause due to allegations of abuse against religious women within his work. The movement is collecting these testimonies confidentially and has provided an email address for the historical research as well as contact information for abuse cases.

Brehm noted that the research is still in progress and may take years to complete. The movement stated that the findings could either confirm existing allegations or provide context that changes how the accusations are understood. Ten volumes of research have already been published.