The primary purpose of the investigation, the announcement said, is “the accusations of covering up cases of abuse.” The criminal allegations of sexual abuse, the statement said, are handled by secular authorities and have been reported to them.
The conference said it was “unable to provide further details” due to the ongoing nature of the inquiry.
The bishops noted that the “preliminary” investigation is meant to determine “whether there is sufficient evidence to initiate ecclesiastical criminal or disciplinary proceedings.” The results of the initial inquiry are then forwarded to the dicastery, which will determine how to proceed.
Bonnemain told kath.ch that he would “have liked to have rejected the order from Rome” due to his being “not well.”
“I have promised for the sake of the victims and justice,” the bishop said. “Now I have to do it and check the accusations.”
The Associated Press, meanwhile, said it spoke to Father Nicolas Betticher, a priest at the parish of Bruder Klaus in Bern, who said he wrote the May letter that ultimately launched the inquiry.