A former Benedictine monk is making serious allegations against his monastery. He had been bullied for years and brothers had spread rumours about him, Samuel Camenzind told the Luzerner Zeitung (Thursday).
Three years ago, he filed criminal charges against two brothers, but later withdrew them under pressure from the abbot.
He has now filed a new criminal complaint for coercion and is demanding compensation of CHF 300,000 from his former community.
The lawyer for Engelberg Abbey rejects all accusations.
The Swiss internet portal "kath.ch" quotes from a visitation report from 2021, according to which the monastery was in a "worrying crisis".
According to "kath.ch", the visitators described the situation as "dramatic and critical".
"Disagreements, quarrels, hostility and irreconcilability among several confreres" were evident in all the talks held.
According to the internet portal, some of the problems also had an impact on health.
Camenzind therefore sought help outside the monastery, which led to his expulsion, according to "kath.ch".
In a letter of warning, the abbot told the monk that he should take some time out and seek psychological counselling.
A few weeks later, Camenzind was banned from the house.
The reasons given by the abbot included "unpredictable behaviour", "contacting external bodies" and protecting the good reputation of the monastery and school.