The former Auxiliary Bishop of Hildesheim, Nikolaus Schwerdtfeger, has been the victim of an attack in his home and is being treated in intensive care.
A unknown man rang Schwerdtfeger's doorbell the evening of December 16 and asked the former Bishop for money. When the 75-year-old said he did not have any money he was verbally abused, punched and pushed, causing him to fall, according to the police. The perpetrator fled unrecognized. According to the police, the reasons behind the violence were initially unclear and the investigation is ongoing. The 75-year-old is being treated in hospital and is responsive.