The allegations of unfaithfulness against Aachen auxiliary bishop Johannes Bündgens will be heard in the district court of Kerpen in autumn. The cleric is accused of misappropriating 143,000 euros from a demented acquaintance.
The district court Kerpen set the three dates for October 29th and November 5th and 6th, as district court director Joachim Rau said on Monday at the request of the Catholic News Agency (KNA).
The Cologne public prosecutor charged Bündgens last October. At first there was talk of just under 128,000 euros, later of an additional 15,000 euros. Bündgens is said to have accepted the money from an older lady from Kerpen who may not have been able to do business. The woman had known Bündgens for some time and had given him a power of attorney for her account. The supervisor who had been deployed in the meantime had noticed the transfers.
Total repaid in full
The Auxiliary Bishop stated that in return for the money, the woman had been granted a lifelong right to live in a property in Aachen that he had acquired for EUR 600,000. This was not noted in the land register because the state of health of the woman had deteriorated. According to the district court, the auxiliary bishop has now paid back the full amount.
Bündgens, who has been auxiliary bishop and bishop vicar for Caritas and cathedral capitular since 2006, has been in office since the beginning of December. Aachen’s Bishop Helmut, who was “shocked” by the allegation and is pressing for complete clarification.
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