► Generalize the signing of protocols between dioceses and public prosecutors
Even before the Sauvé report, 17 dioceses had taken the lead, by signing protocols with the justice system. Ciase recommended their generalization. It recommended that dioceses transmit reports of sexual offenses to public prosecutors and to them “ carry out investigations within a short time frame. If, today, the majority of dioceses seem to be committed to this path, no one can give a precise figure.
“In the absence of the National Observatory and the annual report that we also recommended, we remain in a culture of opacity. The terms of referral to justice remain unclear, and in the sole hands of the bishop”deplores Vincent Destival, general delegate of Secours catholique and president of the dedicated working group. Without calling into question “laudable” intentions, observers point out other blind spots. Particularly when the facts do not fall under crimes or misdemeanors in criminal law and result in a dismissal of the case which can be used as “proof of innocence” by the accused, particularly in cases of control and spiritual abuse.
► Harmonize the functioning of listening cells
Established since 2012, these cells responsible for collecting alerts and testimonies from victims are now widespread in the Church of France. According to an audit report published in December, two thirds of dioceses have their own cell – the others having pooled their forces. If these cells are “professionalized” since then, the report still highlights a need for harmonization of good practices.
Several specialists contacted by The Cross are also gray areas. First, the question of independence. “What freedom does the listener have in relation to the bishop? »asks one of them. Another emphasizes “a lack of resources allocated to training listeners, even though they are full of good will”citing as an example the training provided at the Catholic Institute of Paris (ICP) “which has been struggling for two years to fill its rooms”. Essential training to be able to welcome and guide victims “without risking reactivating their trauma”.
► Form “expert committees” to assist bishops
Some bishops have started to equip themselves with it. “They appeared rather relevant to the bishops who experienced them”underlines a good connoisseur. But here again, no figures, and the dynamic is struggling to take off. The latest example, the diocese of Aire and Dax where the bishop, Nicolas Souchu, was accused of having entrusted responsibilities with young people to a priest previously implicated in cases of sexual assault on young women and whose ministry restrictions had just been lifted. But for lack of “visibility to find competent people”, the creation of a committee of experts is still not on the agenda in this rural diocese.
► Communicate to victims the progress of legal and canonical procedures
This issue was the subject of particular attention, with the dedicated working group insisting on the establishment of a “personalized communication”, for the victims and the communities concerned, progress in judicial and canonical procedures. Three years later, this project seems well underway. Certainly, dysfunctions persist – some victims still learn from the press of the conviction of their attacker.
But things are becoming rarer. Promoter of justice of the National Canonical Criminal Tribunal (TPCN), installed by the CEF in 2022, Father Bruno Gonçalves confirms a “real effort” on that side. “We are careful to keep those who initiated the procedure informed when they wish – others tell us that they no longer want to hear about it, at the risk of reviving their wound”he specifies. And beyond that, the challenge remains above all that of “the application of sentences”, at the end of criminal and canonical procedures.
► Train and supervise spiritual guides
A framework conducive to abuse, spiritual accompaniment has been the subject of several proposals. Even before the Ciase, the brothers of Saint-Jean, particularly concerned, decided to only entrust this mission to priests who were themselves trained, commissioned by their superior and supervised. “Young priests cannot do it during the first three years of priesthood”adds Clémence Dhavernas, responsible for community communications.
At the national level, the CEF is working on a charter of good practices, which will be discussed during the Plenary Assembly of Bishops in November. While many young priests are attracted by spiritual accompaniment, the working document, which The Cross was able to consult, largely incorporates the provisions in force within the Saint-Jean community.
► Sign agreements with specialized structures for perpetrators of sexual violence
Here again, it is difficult to assess the number of agreements signed with healthcare structures – hospitals, resource centers for those working with perpetrators of sexual violence (CRIAVS), etc. “Especially since these are not distributed evenly in France. They are also unequally equipped and do not perform the same functions…”, supports Dr Bertrand Galichon, president of the working group behind the recommendation.
When it comes to monitoring the priests involved, there are many gray areas. What to do, for example, when a perpetrator of sexual violence refuses the therapeutic approach? A good connoisseur also points out a lack of knowledge, in the Church, of the mission of the CRIAVS – focused on “support, training, prevention, identification assistance while a certain number of bishops would like to send priests there to assess their risk of recidivism”.
► Open the seminars to the realities of the world
This vast project, by all accounts, is progressing positively. Its implementation has been delegated to the National Council of Major Seminars (CNGS) which has set up a team, “Plantatio”, since August 2023. “The intervention of external people, the presence of lay people in seminary councils, are realities almost everywhere in Francesays Father Thomas Poussier, secretary general of the CNGS. The Sauvé report accelerated a trend that already existed. »
For the rector of the Aix-en-Provence seminary, progress remains to be made to adjust “the relational capacity of seminarians, in parishes, with women, children, the elderly. » The intervention of professionals in seminaries has also become more widespread: 30% of future diocesan priests benefit from psychological support. “When a profile asks questions, we no longer hesitate to resort to an external opinion to request personality evaluations”, adds a speaker.
► Strengthen the role of the laity with the bishop
According to recent feedback from the synod, at least two-thirds of dioceses have around 35% lay people and 30% women in their episcopal councils. “Things are changing,” corroborates deacon Guillaume Houdan, member of the French synodal team. Changes “ on the access of lay people, including women, to positions of responsibility » which, in the eyes of Alix Huon, of the Agir pour notre Église collective, are going in the right direction, with the ultimate concern of reflecting “parish realities and local Catholic communities”.
Voted by the bishops, the principle of “regular visits” to the dioceses, entrusted to external Catholic actors, is also in the experimental phase. According to our information, around ten have already taken place and around ten others are planned for next year.
► Prevent tensions and conflicts in dioceses.
The CEF sent back to the dioceses the choice of creating “a unit made up of people trained in mediation work” or to appoint a “human resources manager” for priests. This recommendation is still little put into practice and difficult to quantify. “Some dioceses have created structures of this typenotes Father Roger Hébert, member of the monitoring committee. But to date, no one seems to have used it.” For a good observer, “ there is distrust on the part of many priests. This body, even made up of lay people, is perceived as insufficiently independent of the bishop who appointed them..
► Establish a national framework for associations of the faithful
Since 2021, the Vatican has issued new rules allowing closer control over these associations with very diverse profiles. From now on, we can no longer create an association of the faithful without the approval of Rome and government mandates can no longer exceed ten years. But on a national scale, of all the projects launched to fight against abuse, “ it is the one that has the most difficulty moving forward due to a lot of categorization and human resources workdeplores a lay person involved. It is difficult to identify all these associations, which can move when there is a problem.” So far, only a practical guide and training for the few extraordinary visitors appointed for these communities have been produced. For a specialist in new communities, “we can hope for progress on the non-recognition of new deviant communities, but on those that already exist, control has not yet been strengthened. »