Pope Leo XIV to Meet French Abuse Survivors Amid Calls for Action

Pope Leo XIV is set to meet privately with seven survivors of sexual abuse perpetrated by priests and other Catholic personnel during his four-day visit to France, beginning Friday. This meeting, scheduled for Sunday in Lourdes, a significant pilgrimage site, is anticipated by critics who contend the church has not sufficiently addressed the issue of abuse.

Survivors' groups have expressed reservations about the selection process for the meeting, noting that individuals were chosen rather than representatives from established organizations. In a joint statement, the selected survivors clarified that they do not represent all survivors, stating that their participation is in their own names and does not preclude their continued demands.

The French Bishops’ Conference confirmed that the group comprises individuals abused as minors or adults within Catholic schools, parishes, and religious congregations. In recent years, the French Catholic Church has implemented an independent compensation system for survivors and acknowledged its history of abuse.

A 2021 report indicated that approximately 330,000 children in France were sexually abused over seven decades by individuals associated with the church. Among those meeting the Pope is an individual abused at the Notre-Dame de Bétharram school, where allegations span more than fifty years. Another survivor is among those affected by the actions of Bernard Preynat, a priest convicted in 2020 for sexually abusing at least 75 boys. A participant also shared accusations against Abbé Pierre, a revered humanitarian who died in 2007, for alleged sexual assaults against women.

Charles Mercier, a professor at the École Pratique des Hautes Études, highlighted criticism that the group meeting the Pope was not chosen by victims but by bishops and institutions, leading some advocates to feel unrecognized by the church. Mercier suggested that the church leadership appears to be signaling a desire to move past the crisis, despite ongoing calls for concrete action.

Alain Esquerre, a spokesperson for a group of survivors from the Bétharram school, stated that words of compassion are insufficient and called for a concrete plan to combat abuse. He emphasized that receiving survivor groups carries significant symbolic and political weight, necessitating tangible actions beyond testimony and financial compensation.

This meeting follows Pope Leo XIV's encounter with six survivors of clergy sexual abuse in Madrid in June, where he pledged to consider suggestions for improving the church's response. Meanwhile, mosaics by artist Rev. Marko Rupnik, who is facing trial in a Vatican court on accusations of abuse, have been covered at a basilica in Lourdes. Additionally, recent protests have highlighted concerns over the handling of allegations against former priest Jacques Delfosse, who was convicted in 2007 for raping two minors and faces new allegations prompting a current investigation.