Saint-Maurice Abbey asks for help from Rome in abuse scandal
Published: Thursday, Nov 23rd 2023, 19:10
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Following allegations of sexual abuse, there is a change of leadership at Saint-Maurice Abbey for the second time in around two months. Interim abbot Roland Jaquenoud temporarily steps down from his post. An emissary appointed by Rome is to lead the community in the meantime.
The abbey has asked Rome to appoint an apostolic delegate, canon Antoine Salina said at a media conference in Bex VD on Thursday. The leadership of the community was obviously suffering from "structural weakness".
Following the media reports about cases of abuse in the abbey, the 65-year-old Salina was entrusted with the task of media spokesman by his fellow brothers at short notice.
"The relationship was amicable"
Roland Jaquenoud, who stepped down from the interim office, was at the center of a report on French-speaking Swiss television RTS last Sunday about abuse in the Catholic Church. Salina read out a statement from Jaquenoud on the allegations against him to the media.
In it, the 50-year-old rejected the accusation made by the media that he had abused a novice in the past. The relationship between him and the novice, who was of age at the time, was consensual, he explained.
According to Salina, this is a well-known closed case. Around 20 years ago, a church investigation was opened against Jaquenoud "for consensual homosexual acts between adults" because of this relationship. Because his behavior was not compatible with the church, the then novitiate director was convicted and temporarily expelled from the abbey as punishment.
There had been no civil investigation into the case. Following the new allegations, Jaquenoud was questioned by the criminal investigation department on Wednesday.
The prior was only elected interim abbot by his confreres in September. Prior to this, the actual abbot, Jean Scarcella, had also temporarily resigned due to allegations of abuse.
Until recently, Jaquenoud also taught Greek and Latin at Saint-Maurice College. The Valais Department of Education announced his suspension at the beginning of the week.
"Feeling of horror and disgust"
With regard to the RTS report, Salina emphasized that some of the nine cases mentioned date back more than 60 years and that most of the perpetrators are deceased. "Other cases ended with pre-trial detention and suspended sentences, or the proceedings were discontinued," the churchman noted.
"The latest revelations awaken traumatic memories that demand answers," said the Augustinian canon. It is imperative that the whole truth comes to light. "There is a feeling of horror and disgust," he explained.
On behalf of the abbey, Salina asked for forgiveness from all victims of the actions of some confreres. The Abbey of Saint-Maurice is taking all measures in its power to help the truth and justice.
She is actively working with the public prosecutor's office on the most recent and oldest cases that have been reported to her. "Investigations are currently underway and we must respect the requirements of justice," Salina continued.
Police search archives
The Attorney General and police inspectors went to the abbey on Wednesday and Thursday for a preliminary investigation. The archivist of the abbey granted them access to the archives on a voluntary basis. A canon was also heard.
Following the publication of the study on sexual abuse in the Catholic Church, the Valais public prosecutor's office announced in mid-September that it would investigate possible criminal proceedings in Valais that are not time-barred or have already been dealt with. A report on the investigations should be available by the end of February 2024.
©Keystone/SDA
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