The priest was removed from office after 16 men came forward to say that they had been forced to engage in sexual acts as boys while attending a boarding school near Bad Neustadt an der Saale, which is about 110 kilometers east of Frankfurt.

The incidents in question happened between 1972 and 1976, too long ago for them to be prosecuted as crimes under German law.

The now defrocked priest is a member of the order Missionaries of the Holy Family, which is based in Mainz, and which has expressed regret to the victims. He has owned up to his guilt," said the order, adding that it would help the victims get counseling.

The ex-priest will, however, remain in the order as a simple brother. He will be prohibited from having any contact with children or young men and any infraction of the rule will result in his dismissal from the order.

According to former pupils, the priest raped the boys in the dormitories as others watched.

The scandal came to light last year when a theologian who went to the boarding school revealed the news. It led to the priest being removed from working as a chaplain at a retirement home.

av/dpa/AP
Editor: Susan Houlton