Per the recent Times Online Article dated April 9th, 2010, Father Stephen Kiesle, a priest in Oakland California, was charged with lewd conduct for tying up two boys and molesting them, and had been sentenced to three years' probation in 1978.
The concern now is why did it take Cardinal Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict, four years to address the case and remove Kiesle from priesthood?
Kiesle was ultimately stripped of his priestly powers in 1987, although it has not been reported how that came about, nor has it been reported what role Ratzinger played in relieving Kiesle of his duties.
It was reported that Kiesle asked to leave the priesthood after completing three years probation, and the Oakland diocese submitted papers to the Vatican to defrock him.
Irwin Zalkin is representing some of Kiesle's victims and had this to say:
"Cardinal Ratzinger was more concerned about the avoidance of scandal than he was about protecting children. That was a central theme."
If you or anyone you know has been abused by Kiesle or another member of the Catholic Church, and you need an experienced clergy abuse lawyer, please contact the Zalkin Law Firm at 800-724-3235 to discuss your legal rights and options.
