Independent investigation into abuse at Saint-Maurice Abbey VS
Published: Monday, Feb 26th 2024, 18:01
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An independent working group is to investigate the involvement of some members of Saint-Maurice Abbey VS in cases of sexual abuse. The Catholic abbey has commissioned the Neuchâtel Attorney General to set up this committee.
The aim of the working group, led by Attorney General Pierre Aubert, will be to carry out an investigation according to both legal and historical criteria, Saint-Maurice Abbey announced on Monday. The group will have unrestricted access to the institution's archives and to the testimonies of both the canons and the victims.
This investigation should not take the place of the investigations ordered by the judicial authorities. Attorney General Aubert is not acting in his capacity as a judge, but as an expert, the abbey emphasized.
Aubert will be supported by the Department of Contemporary History at the University of Fribourg. The department already has experience with the topic and has already carried out work in this area, it added.
Crimes that are not time-barred and have not yet been convicted, which could be discovered on this occasion, should be reported to the judiciary at the express request of the abbey.
Several cases
The abbey recalled that, according to a recently published official statement from the Valais public prosecutor's office, no proceedings are underway against a specific perpetrator. The police are continuing their investigations on their own initiative.
The extent of the abuse scandal that has rocked the abbey of the Augustinian canons in Saint-Maurice in recent months is unclear. According to a report broadcast by French-speaking Swiss television station RTS in the fall, around ten canons are said to be involved in cases of sexual abuse within Saint-Maurice Abbey.
At a media conference held by the abbey following these revelations, it was stated that some of these cases dated back more than 60 years and that most of the perpetrators had died. Other cases had ended with pre-trial detention and suspended sentences or the proceedings had been discontinued.
Resignations of abbot and deputy abbot
Abbot Jean Scarcella, who was suspected of sexual abuse and its cover-up, had already resigned from office in September "in order to guarantee the independence of the investigation".
At the end of November, his interim successor Roland Jaquenoud also resigned after being accused of sexually abusing an adult novice. An apostolic delegate appointed by Rome was then appointed to lead the community.
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