Vatican Official Resigns Following Abuse Allegation by Former Nun, Reports Reuters

By Philip Pullella

VATICAN CITY – A senior official at the Vatican has resigned following allegations made by a former nun, who claims he solicited sex from her during confession a decade ago. This incident adds to the ongoing scrutiny surrounding abuse cases within the Church.

The Vatican announced on Tuesday that Father Hermann Geissler, who held a senior position in the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF), had submitted his resignation while denying the accusations. His resignation was accepted by the cardinal leading the CDF.

This development occurs at a moment when more women, particularly nuns, are coming forward to report experiences of abuse by clergy, inspired by the MeToo movement. Last year, the International Union of Superiors General, representing over 500,000 Catholic nuns, encouraged its members to report such abuses.

According to the Vatican, “Fr. Geissler decided to take this step to limit the damage already done to the Congregation and to his Community (religious order).” The statement also noted that he asserts the accusations are false. While the Vatican confirmed an investigation is ongoing, it did not address the specific claims against Geissler.

Doris Wagner, a former nun from Germany, accused Geissler during a conference in Rome aimed at amplifying the voices of women who have survived clergy sexual abuse. She stated that in 2009, at the age of 25, he propositioned her during confession, suggesting they had a mutual attraction and referencing “other ways” to connect, despite the impossibility of marriage.

Wagner, now married with a child, reported that Geissler attempted to hold and kiss her during the confession, prompting her to flee. Although she did not identify him at the conference, she later confirmed to reporters that Geissler was the priest in question. She noted that he was the only section head in the CDF affiliated with her former religious order, Familia Spiritualis Opus (FSO), which she left in 2011.

In a communication to reporters, Wagner expressed her desire to participate in the ongoing Church investigation regarding her case. Additionally, she provided documentation indicating that a German Church official had previously admonished Geissler for inappropriate conduct on two occasions, which he acknowledged and for which he sought forgiveness.

Solicitation during confession is classified as a serious offense under Church law, wherein a priest misuses the sacrament to engage in immoral acts with a penitential. Such actions can lead to expulsion from the priesthood.