Edited from an article by Daniela Kubiak, Unit Link Communicator, Germany (Province of Germany)
For over a decade, Sister Bernadette Brommer in Munich, Germany, has dedicated herself to a hidden yet devastating issue: the financial and emotional abuse of the elderly through the misuse of powers of attorney.
What began as a single, troubling case in her pastoral care work has grown into a profound mission, deeply aligned with the charism and values of the Good Shepherd mission.
Sister Bernadette’s journey into this ministry began in 2010. While serving as a pastoral worker, she first encountered what is known in Germany as inheritance hunting—a predatory practice where individuals exploit vulnerable people to become beneficiaries in their will. She quickly realized that the gateway to this financial abuse was often a legally granted power of attorney, a tool intended for protection but twisted into a weapon of control.
Driven by a desire to expose this injustice, she published a book in 2011 titled “Willenlos, Wehrlos, Abgezockt, Erbschleicherei” (Helpless, Defenseless, Ripped Off, Inheritance Hunting). This publication brought the issue to light and established Sister Bernadette as a key advocate for the cause. She became a vital point of contact for those affected in the media, as well as a speaker, sharing her expertise at events like the German Inheritance Law Day in Berlin in 2023.
When Care Becomes Exploitation
To understand the severity of the problem, Sister Bernadette often shares the story of Friedrich (name changed to protect his identity), a childless widower severely affected by Parkinson’s disease. Initially, Friedrich’s brother held power of attorney. However, a new caregiver entered Friedrich’s life and increasingly isolated him from his family. She manipulated him into giving her lavish gifts, including a Mercedes and his late wife’s jewelry.
The caregiver created a web of deceit, telling the family that Friedrich wanted no contact, while at the same time telling Friedrich that his family was no longer interested in having contact with him. Eventually, she convinced him to revoke his brother’s power of attorney and grant it to her, making her his sole heir. When the brother sought legal intervention, he was blocked by systemic hurdles, including a flawed neurological report that was never questioned. In the end, the caregiver inherited everything, leaving the family devastated and highlighting profound gaps in the legal system.
Building a Network of Support
As more victims came forward, the demand for help became overwhelming. Recognizing she could not tackle this widespread problem alone, Sister Bernadette established a dedicated contact point and hotline in 2022. She sought support and was joined by two lawyers who volunteer their expertise to assist victims and their families. This collaborative effort provides a crucial lifeline for those who feel powerless and unsure where to turn.
The Situation Today and Hopes for the Future
Today, Sister Bernadette continues her tireless work, offering pastoral care by listening to and supporting families who have been torn apart. “Sometimes,'' dice, ''I can only be there for those affected, listen to them, share their grief and their pain.''
However, her mission extends beyond individual comfort. She advocates for systemic change, calling for political and legal reforms to protect the vulnerable. A primary goal is to have inheritance hunting officially recognized as a criminal offense in Germany, which would provide a much stronger legal deterrent.
Sister Bernadette’s ongoing advocacy work embodies the Good Shepherd Call to Action made at our Congregational Chapter in 2021 to “dismantle systems, attitudes and practices that perpetuate… inequality [and] relationships built on power».
By defending the elderly from financial predators, she lives out the Congregation’s commitment to “strengthen our existing works of justice” and “engage with emerging needs of today.”
Her hope for the future is to create a society where trust is not a trap. She envisions a system with reliable control mechanisms and a broad social awareness of the dangers of power of attorney abuse. Through her advocacy, Sister Bernadette Brommer is not just fighting for individual justice; she is working to build a universal culture of justice which offers a more compassionate and secure future for all elderly citizens.
