MUNICH — The future Pope Benedict XVI was kept more closely apprised of a sexual abuse case in Germany than previous church statements have suggested, raising fresh questions about his handling of a scandal unfolding under his direct supervision before he rose to the top of the church’s hierarchy.

Joseph Ratzinger, archbishop in Munich at the time, was copied on a memo informing him that a priest, whom he had approved sending to therapy in 1980 to overcome pedophilia, would be returned to pastoral work within days of beginning psychiatric treatment. The priest was later convicted of molesting boys in another parish.

An initial statement on the matter issued earlier this month by the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising placed full responsibility for the decision to allow the priest to resume his duties on Ratzinger’s deputy, the Rev. Gerhard Gruber. But the memo, whose existence was confirmed by two church officials, shows that the future pope not only led a meeting on Jan. 15, 1980, approving the transfer of the priest, but was also kept informed about the priest’s reassignment.

The case of the German priest, the Rev. Peter Hullermann, has acquired fresh relevance because it unfolded at a time when Ratzinger, who was later put in charge of handling thousands of abuse cases on behalf of the Vatican, was in a position to refer the priest for prosecution, or at least to stop him from coming into contact with children.

U.S. victim: Hold pope accountable

A victim of molestation by the Rev. Lawrence Murphy recounted his abuse Thursday at a Milwaukee news conference. “The pope knew about this. He’s the one who knew about this,” Arthur Budzinski said. “He should be held accountable.” The New York Times reported Thursday that documents show top Vatican officials didn’t defrock Murphy, despite many warnings by bishops.

— Milwaukee Journal Sentinel