The Catholic Church in Germany on Wednesday said it plans to offer up to 5,000 euros ($6,900) to victims of abuse by clergy or church officials while they were minors. The German Bishops Conference said the Church will also cover possible expenses for therapy, and for victims whose cases are considered "particularly grave" could receive additional financial support, the Associated Press reports. "It is the responsibility of everyone who is sitting at the table to do everything possible to help," German Justice Minister Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger said. The minister met with representatives of the Church and other institutions involved in allegations of abuse as part of the government's so-called round table on the issue. The government wants to set up a fund that would pay for counseling and therapy for victims whose cases extend beyond Germany's 20-year statute of limitations. Germany, the homeland of Pope Benedict XVI, was one of several countries hit last year by a wave of allegations of abuse by clerics. SOURCE German church offers up to $6,900 to abuse victims (The Washington Post/AP) PHOTO A Catholic church in Trier, Germany
