More than 216,000 minors were victims of sexual abuse in France Points to a report released on Tuesday (5), conducted by clergy and religious of the Catholic Church since 1950.
According to a survey conducted by Jean-Marc Sauve, chairman of the Independent Commission on Sexual Abuse in the Church (SIAS), that number rises to 330,000 when considering people who work in Catholic institutions.
Report shows clergy sexually abused more than 200,000 children in France
The coordinator of the investigation said that by the 2000s, the French Catholic Church had shown “brutal indifference” to minors who were sexually abused.
Presenting the commission’s final report, Sauve maintains that the institution had a “systemic” phenomenon and proposed recognition of “the responsibility of the Church”.
a commission that investigated abuse It lasted for two and a half years. It was also revealed that the organization had between 2,900 and 3,200 pedophiles since 1950.
The commission says the numbers are a “minimum estimate” and were based on analysis of files from the church, justice, judicial police and the press, as well as testimony.
This number represents a total population of 115,000 priests or religious people over a 70-year period.
The study is completed by a survey of 30,000 people representing the French population to quantify sexual abuse within the church in the more general context of abuse throughout France.
The chairman of the Commission of Inquiry, Jean-Marc Sauve, recalls, however, that the published figures may be low in relation to reality, which is the tip of the iceberg, as the victims expressed their will, following a summons of witnesses. The question is how many voluntarily chose not to participate in the investigation.
Following the publication of the report, Monsignor Eric de Moulins-Beaufort, the president of the Episcopal Conference of France, apologized to minors who were sexually assaulted.
De Moulins-Beaufort also expressed “shame” and “determination to act” with the victims, saying that “my wish today is to apologise”.
in the note, Vatican said that Pope Francisco Learned, regrettably, the contents of the investigation.
“The first thought goes to the victims, to their wounds, to their wounds,” the text says.
It is also said that the Pope is grateful to him for his courage to condemn the crimes committed by him.
Finally, the note states that the Church of France is expected to embark on the path of redemption after realizing the “terrible reality”.
