The process is by definition continuous, and the path will continue to occupy the Church of France for a long time to come. By recognizing the systemic nature of sexual violence against minors within the institution, the bishops of France could not do without structural reflection to try to put an end to it, as much as possible. Once the shock of the submission of the report of the Independent Commission on Sexual Abuse in the Church (Ciase) in October 2021 had passed, changes had to be put in place. A duty towards the faithful, always more shaken as new cases are revealed, and in demand of a reaction from the institution.
The bishops had therefore entrusted several working groups with the task of formulating proposals in order to fight against sexual violence in the Church. Gathered in plenary assembly in Lourdes from March 28 to 31, as they do twice a year, the hierarchs had to decide on the suggestions of these committees in order to examine the possibility of setting them up.
Two exchange sessions were organized in the form of discussion workshops with the members of these groups, made up largely of lay people, but also of victims. It was then that the bishops voted on the proposals they wanted to retain before communicating their conclusions, Friday, March 31 during a press briefing held by Eric de Moulins-Beaufort, president of the conference of bishops of France (CEF ).
Continuous training and “mentoring”
The Archbishop of Reims returned to what it was possible for him and his colleagues from other dioceses to do and what, conversely, was not in their hands – a number of proposals not only falling under the hierarchy, he explained, but rather local structures and the priests themselves. In short, although they may be at the head of their dioceses, the bishops cannot alone decide on the whole life of the Church of France.
It therefore only shows measures that concern them directly. And which, at least for the general public, are likely to be considered less innovative than some of the suggestions presented in the report of the working groups. On Friday, the bishops thus did not decide on the advisability of bringing before the Holy See, on which such decisions depend, the proposal to ordain married men or women deacons, as proposed by one of the committees.
The members of the conference want each priest to have the opportunity to see his superior more regularly
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