Andreas Perr News Today

The Catholic Church in Germany is in disarray amid warring clerics, a Vatican reject returned to Freiburg and court-ordered damages for historical abuse

Any heir takes over any legal claims against the deceased, according to estate laws. "I could get the shakes just thinking about how much I would have to pay out," one cousin told Bavarian Radio.

(RNS) — Any heir takes over any legal claims against the deceased, according to estate laws. 'I could get the shakes just thinking about how much I would have to pay out,' one cousin told Bavarian Radio.

One cousin has already refused to accept the inheritance; four others have not yet responded. If they are smart, they will turn it down as well.

Joseph Ratzinger was accused of mishandling cases when he was bishop of Munich, but as pope he was credited with forcing the Catholic Church to face a scourge long ignored.

The scourge of child sexual abuse in the church haunted Benedict XVI, from the beginning of his rise through the hierarchy to his last year as a frail, retired pope.

In the United States, a scandal that erupted in Boston has shaken nearly every part of the country. Read more at Boston.com.