Ideologiekritik & Film 6: Akten des Missbrauchs – Die Geschichte eines organisierten Verbrechens im Vatikan

In the organizer's words:

Files of Abuse - The Story of an Organized Crime in the Vatican
Following the screening, we invite you to a Q&A with Marcus Bensmann (CORRECTIV), the reporter behind the research.

A chance discovery opens the trail to a secret Vatican archive: Documents about countless crimes committed in the name of the Catholic Church are stored there.
The story begins with Andreas Perr from Bavaria. He was abused as a child by his priest. The consequences of these acts remain with him to this day. Although the crimes are time-barred under criminal law, Perr is seeking compensation. In court, he therefore demands compensation for pain and suffering from the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising.
The documentary follows the traces of the proceedings, comes across an explosive letter from former Pope Benedict XVI and from there to more and more internal letters from the church, which lead to a network around the globe: to the USA, Italy, Portugal, all the way to Colombia. The pattern is similar everywhere. Allegations against priests are reported, reports are written and sent to Rome - but consequences are either not forthcoming or are delayed for years. Perpetrators are protected. At the center of this meticulous recording of abuse: the Vatican.
To this day, the Vatican archives contain files, letters and abuse logs - evidence of crimes, knowledge and decisions. How much did the church know? And who decided which perpetrators should be prosecuted, who was allowed to remain unchallenged and what remained hidden?
"Files of Abuse: The Story of an Organized Crime in the Vatican" tells the story of people who break the silence: of those affected who fight for justice, of initiatives that build up their own archives and of journalists who continue to investigate despite resistance. The film reveals the structures of an abuse system that was able to function for decades because it remained hidden. An investigative journey into the power center of the church - and to the question of how long this archive can remain closed.

With a short introduction before the movie
Buy tickets here (click)

Here to the movie trailer
Germany 2026, running time: 75 min., FSK 12

Price information:

Admission 13,-