The Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary referred in a statement to the suspension of the process of beatification of the religious founder of the movement, Josef Kentenich, which began in 1975.
As they explained, the decision was made in Germany by the Bishop of Trier, Stepahn Ackerman.
“As a Community of Sisters of Mary, we are saddened by this decision, although we still do not know what practical consequences the announcement entails. However, this news does not discourage us from moving forward with our mission every day, with joy and great enthusiasm, spreading our charism and acting as instruments of our Covenant of love with Mary, seeking holiness in our daily work. We ask you to accompany us in this process with your prayers”, states the statement from the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary.
From the Diocese of Trier, meanwhile, it was reported that the background of the decision is the accusations that exist against Kentenich and that gained notoriety in 2020, when it was announced that the Vatican sanctioned the religious leader in 1951 for sexual abuse and power.
However, they noted that with the suspension of the beatification process no judgment has been issued on the life and work of the priest.
In a publication of the German religious representation, shared on the official website of the movement, it is explained that with the opening of the Vatican archives (until the end of the pontificate of Pope Pius XII, in 1958) documents were available that had not been able to be integrated into the diocesan investigation of the beatification process of the founder of the Schoenstatt Movement.
“The discussions of the last two years have indicated that a deeper investigation of the person and work of Kentenich is necessary,” Bishop Ackerman noted.