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An unholy feud breaks out in Nidwalden. The reason for this: a picture of the penis that Stansstad priest Damian B. * (50) last week proved fatal. The photo landed on the cell phone of his parish secretary Erika C. * (53). The situation then escalated: the report immediately went to the president of the Church Council (the secretary’s husband) and was so comprehensive that the pastor resigned. This was followed by a complaint from the clerk, and the pastor promptly countersuit for defamation.
The priest’s excuse: the photo does not show his penis; He had received the photo himself without being asked and wanted to delete it, but accidentally resent it. Damian B. even later questioned whether the photo in question had been sent by his hand. Rather, the clergyman sees a conspiracy that has been emerging since he took office in 2014.
“Suppose the shipment was not really on purpose”
After all, the penis photo pastor now gets help from above. Nidwalden Dean Melchior Betschart (51) tells BLICK: “We strongly believe in his innocence, and that is not simply said. We assume that sending the image was not really on purpose. “Because:” The photo came out of nowhere! “As far as he knows, there was no sexually motivated pick-up or talk.
On the contrary: “After all the climbing, I heard that the pastor did not get along so well with individuals personally. But within a framework that is everywhere. “
The escalation was not predictable
There were no signs of the situation getting worse, with charges and contraindications. “As far as I know, the Vicariate General was never informed about personnel problems,” said the dean. And further: “No one could have guessed that emotions would rise so high.” Argue: “Right now we are mutilating and hurting each other.”
The priest still lives in the rectory today. However: There will be no more professional future for Damian B. in Stansstad. He has already resigned, the bishop has accepted the request.
Reconciliation yes – withdraw complaint no
Melchior Betschart would like to campaign for reconciliation, as he preached to Jesus, but the fact that the complaint against the priest is withdrawn does not correspond to the desire of the Catholic Church. “We have learned from our past that you should always file a complaint with such sensitive stories.” But: “The church must leave the criminal investigation to the police and the prosecutor.”
In the worst case, Damian B. will be convicted, says Beschart. “In the best of cases, the criminal process will be withdrawn.”
Photo victim Erika C. declined to comment on BLICK. The priest is currently not available to anyone.
