Archbishop Gänswein said the decision in early 2020 had felt like a punishment, but he now knows this was not the case.

Victims had suffered additional pain from the way they were treated by leaders and other members of orders. “We deeply regret this and acknowledge our failure once again,” a representative for the German church said.

The government of the federal state of Berlin has permitted church services with up to 50 participants from May 4 provided that hygiene and social distancing requirements are observed.

Ahead of a meeting on April 17 between religious leaders and the federal government, there are growing calls to allow the German faithful to worship together as soon as possible.

ZdK president Thomas Sternberg told Germany’s Catholic News Agency (KNA): “There is criticism that disqualifies itself. It is so removed from everyday life that it cannot be taken seriously.”