French Bishops' Conference President Speaks on Church's Vigilance Against Sexual Abuse
Eric de Moulins-Beaufort emphasizes the importance of addressing sexual violence within the Church as he nears the end of his term.
As he prepares to step down after two terms, Eric de Moulins-Beaufort, President of the French Bishops' Conference (CEF), has called for continued vigilance regarding sexual violence within the Church.
Reflecting on his six years of leadership, he acknowledged the challenges posed by the 2021 Ciase report, which revealed extensive incidents of child sexual abuse within the Catholic Church in France.
De Moulins-Beaufort expressed deep sorrow upon reading the report, recognizing the staggering number of victims, which he stated has now transformed from abstract numbers into poignant personal stories.
The report indicated that approximately 330,000 minors had been victims of sexual violence in the Church, a statistic that stresses the need for the Church to take more proactive measures.
He indicated that while the Church has made strides toward becoming a safer environment, significant work remains.
While acknowledging ongoing investigations into several cases, such as those involving Bétharram and Garaison, he maintained that the full extent of these issues has yet to be resolved.
The necessity of continued dialogue with victims was highlighted, emphasizing that some may choose never to speak out about their experiences.
In response to financial reparations for victims, de Moulins-Beaufort affirmed the Church's commitment to support victims and ensure their needs are met.
Amidst discussions about the Church's reputation, he acknowledged the surprising revelations surrounding the case of Abbé Pierre and noted that prior awareness among bishops regarding such abuses was minimal.
He characterized the abusive environment as one marked by secrecy and complacency, underscoring the urgency for reform within the Church's hierarchical structure.
When asked about the future, de Moulins-Beaufort depicted the Church as navigating a turbulent sea of ongoing challenges related to sexual abuse but remained resolute in the commitment to steer towards reform and healing.
Furthermore, he expressed optimism that with a commitment to transparency and truth, the Church might become more appealing to the youth, evidenced by the diverse participation of young people in recent world youth events.
As his tenure concludes, he outlined the critical tasks for his successor, emphasizing the need to persevere in addressing sexual violence while simultaneously fostering a Church that radiates hope, freedom, and inner strength in a world rife with uncertainty.
Reflecting on his six years of leadership, he acknowledged the challenges posed by the 2021 Ciase report, which revealed extensive incidents of child sexual abuse within the Catholic Church in France.
De Moulins-Beaufort expressed deep sorrow upon reading the report, recognizing the staggering number of victims, which he stated has now transformed from abstract numbers into poignant personal stories.
The report indicated that approximately 330,000 minors had been victims of sexual violence in the Church, a statistic that stresses the need for the Church to take more proactive measures.
He indicated that while the Church has made strides toward becoming a safer environment, significant work remains.
While acknowledging ongoing investigations into several cases, such as those involving Bétharram and Garaison, he maintained that the full extent of these issues has yet to be resolved.
The necessity of continued dialogue with victims was highlighted, emphasizing that some may choose never to speak out about their experiences.
In response to financial reparations for victims, de Moulins-Beaufort affirmed the Church's commitment to support victims and ensure their needs are met.
Amidst discussions about the Church's reputation, he acknowledged the surprising revelations surrounding the case of Abbé Pierre and noted that prior awareness among bishops regarding such abuses was minimal.
He characterized the abusive environment as one marked by secrecy and complacency, underscoring the urgency for reform within the Church's hierarchical structure.
When asked about the future, de Moulins-Beaufort depicted the Church as navigating a turbulent sea of ongoing challenges related to sexual abuse but remained resolute in the commitment to steer towards reform and healing.
Furthermore, he expressed optimism that with a commitment to transparency and truth, the Church might become more appealing to the youth, evidenced by the diverse participation of young people in recent world youth events.
As his tenure concludes, he outlined the critical tasks for his successor, emphasizing the need to persevere in addressing sexual violence while simultaneously fostering a Church that radiates hope, freedom, and inner strength in a world rife with uncertainty.
