A German archdiocese that was once overseen by Pope Benedict has suspended a priest, 24 years after he was convicted of sexually abusing children.

While Benedict was only in charge of the Munich archdiocese from 1977 to 1982, the German priest was allowed to continue working within the church in 1986, after allegations and a conviction over child abuse.

He had been suspended in 1985 after accusations of sexual abuse in the town of Grafing, for which he was convicted the following year.

He was allowed to continue working on the condition that he have no contact with minors. He eventually contravened the order.

He had been transferred to Munich from another German diocese in 1980 after earlier allegations of abuse.

The Catholic Church in Germany is currently dealing with 300 alleged cases of child abuse across the country.