A priest from Krefeld is said to have frightened a deacon – even though he was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. The Servant of God was said to have known this and was therefore accused of committing bodily harm. The trial of the 48-year-old man began on Friday (13:15) at the Mönchengladbach district court.
According to prosecutors, the pastor knew that the deacon reacted to fear with dissociation and even panic attacks including convulsions. Nevertheless, in the spring of 2024, the defendant is said to have stood behind the 58-year-old man in the sacristy of a chapel and shouted “Päää” loudly. Several months later he is said to have scared her again from behind before a church service.
Almost fainted from shock
According to the court, the church employee suffered for days after the first attack. The second time he reached home with difficulty and almost fainted. As a result, he again sought psychiatric treatment.
This case had to be heard openly because the priest did not want to pay the fine of 14,000 euros that had been imposed. The problem with the penalty is not the daily rate, but rather the quantity. With the application of the 140 daily rate, the priest is considered to have a criminal record because the 90 daily rate threshold will be exceeded.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:251121-930-320110/1
