The Protestants of Alsace adopt a charter against sexual and family violence

The revelations of the Independent Commission on Sexual Abuse in the Church (Ciase) on the extent of sexual abuse in the Catholic context have repercussions beyond the Roman Church. “Shocked” by these acts, the members of the Union of Protestant Churches of Alsace and Lorraine (Uepal) thus adopted a “charter on sexual and/or intra-family violence”.

→ MAINTENANCE. “In Alsace, relations between religions and the authorities are peaceful”

Affirming in this document that such acts are “inadmissible, unjustifiable and irreconcilable violence with the Christian faith”, the Alsatian Lutheran-Reformed Churches thus want to give “the greatest priority to the safety of the victims” and “to take care of them”. To do this, they undertake to “raise awareness” of their members and to “promote and encourage the training of reference persons”. “Now is the time to act, together,” insists the charter.

The document highlights several contacts, both national emergency assistance numbers (police, children in danger, violence against women, info, etc.) and specific Protestant aid structures. “We want to show that our Church wants to be supportive and accompanying,” says Rachel Wolff, head of the marital and family ministry service at Uepal, who was behind the development of this charter.

“Not just with others”

“Perhaps such crimes have also been committed within our Church or in our entourage, wonders Uepal on its website. We don’t want to close our eyes to this reality but look it in the face. “It doesn’t just happen in other people’s homes,” insists Pastor Ruth Wolff-Bonsirven, responsible with others for listening to the testimonies. “Even if with us the synodality means that the pastor is not a person of power, we are quite ready to recognize that we can be concerned by cases. »

“It is not our responsibility to verify the veracity of the facts, but to allow everyone to file what they have to say and to offer them a listening ear”, continues the one who is also a marriage counselor, just like Rachel Wolff. . Depending on the function, the person can then be redirected to different interlocutors, ranging from legal support to spiritual support, according to their requests.

Finalized in January, the charter is now intended to be displayed in parishes and various places linked to Uepal. “We wanted something that could quickly show real action,” says Rachel Wolff. In the coming months, this charter should be accompanied by a new document, intended to explain how to react in the event of suspicion of abuse.

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