(ITALY)
La Croix International [France]
May 25, 2022
By Isabelle de Gaulmyn
Bishops in Italy examine the issue of clergy sexual abuse
An independent body to look into sexual abuse; listening to victims; compensation; and a historical and sociological study.
These are among the demands that victims of clergy sex abuse are making to the Catholic Church in Italy. They are supported by a shocking book, co-authored by the historian Lucetta Scaraffia (Agnus Dei. Gli abusi sessuali del clero in Italia).
The demands are reminiscent of the courageous methods that bishops in France adopted when they established the Independent Commission on Sexual Abuse in the Church (CIASE) under the direction of Jean-Marc Sauvé. Except that, so far, the Italian Church has been resistant to dealing with matters of sexual abuse.
After initially claiming that it was not an issue in their country, the bishops are now saying that they can deal with it on their own and without external intervention, especially from the justice system.
The Italian Church still has the means to oppose the growing pressure to put an end to this culture of abuse that is in its midst.
The influence of religion is still important in the country — despite the fact that Sunday Mass attendance is plummeting.
Above all, the Italian Church is one of the richest in the world, thanks to a particularly advantageous tax-financed system that allows it to defend itself and buy the silence of victims in a country where pedocriminality remains taboo.
For the Italian prelates, the Sauvé method is a red rag. Still influential in the Roman Curia, they did everything possible to ensure that the members of the French commission were kept from meeting Pope Francis.
But Italian public opinion is changing. And the Church will not be able to ignore it for long, at the risk of losing all credibility.
The pope has a role here. As Bishop of Rome, he appoints the president of the Italian Episcopal Conference (CEI).
His willingness to deal seriously with sex abuse in the Church will also be judged by the way he handles the Italian situation.
Isabelle de Gaulmyn is a senior editor at La Croix and a former Vatican correspondent.