(I have written this second statement upon being confronted with my father's Norwegian web site. This is my personal explanation and reply to my parents' recent attempt to criminalize the people who in every way have helped me, and to misrepresent a peace-loving fellowship as being a dangerous sect.)

Wiltrud Griess' statement on her parents' story on a web site on the Internet

In order to refute my father's claim that in our family there were "of course, no problems in the upbringing of our children", I would like, for the record, to write down the following statement:

Of course, there were numerous problems !

I would like to give two examples of how our family situation was:

1. Once, when I was wronged, I became so furious and hysterical that my mother and my brother threatened to call the psychiatric clinic in Gugging. My father had perhaps no idea of such occurrences, since he was often at work until midnight. At that time, I was 13 years old.
   
   
2. I often heard my parents quarrelling. Once, I witnessed my father pushing my mother into a glass door, such that the pieces of glass went deep into her legs.
   
   Besides this, many of the behavioural problems I displayed were due to the incestuous experiences I had in my childhood , and during my youth time. These horrible experiences within my family - along with my parents' constant attacks against my friends - have led to my depressive state.
   
   One comment to the alleged "fishing trip" of Peter Koller: My mother's only reaction at that time, when I told her about Peter, was: "But if you get married, I would really like the feast to be celebrated on a large scale." This comment greatly shocked me, since I hadn't the slightest thought of an erotic relationship, since his conduct toward me had been very correct, and of such a pure, selfless nature. (Besides, his sister, Evelyn, was always there during these encounters and conversations.
   
   My father alleges, again and again, that our fellowship ordered me to do various things (for example, to convert him by means of threats and force, discontinue my educational training, stop playing the violin . . .).
   
   The truth is that no one from our fellowship ever ordered me to do that . It is true that I did interpret some Bible verses too literally, just as many other people, who get excited about something new. Or perhaps because of my sickness, I misunderstood it, and I am certain I said a lot of foolish things, all of which my father now, "out of love for me", is spreading all over the world. If that is what is called love, to reveal the "mistakes" of his child all over the world - then you as the reader can judge for yourself.
   
   There was never any "brainwashing" done on me, on the contrary, it was a "heart-washing".
   
   With regard to my suicide attempt, I would like to say this: The fact that I felt that I was "damned", had to do with my depressive feelings, and it had nothing to do with the teaching of our fellowship, which - on the contrary - is based upon the hope and the courageousness of faith . The reason for my suicide attempt has no connection with our brotherhood. Actually, I had distanced myself from the Christian fellowship at that time, and was dragged into a very problematic sexual relationship with a wine representative for a period of time, who, also, had nothing to do with our fellowship.
   
   Unfortunately, I have to face the fact that what my father wrote in his Internet story was composed, all in all, of many half-truths and untruths. He changed the chronological order of events to suit his case, although he was obliged on several points before the Commercial Court in Vienna, (before various judges) to in the future stop his untruthful statements about me and our fellowship.
   
   Wiltrud Griess
   
   Vienna on May 27, 1999