Confessions of Past Sexual Crimes by High-Ranking Catholic Clergy in France Continue

Archbishops and Cardinals Apologize for Misidentification and Seek Forgiveness
"11 Current and Former French Bishops Prosecuted and Disciplined for Sexual Abuse"

Cardinal Jean-Pierre Ricard in 2005. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] A senior French Catholic cleric has confessed to inappropriate conduct committed in the past. According to AFP on the 16th (local time), Jean-Pierre Grallet (81), former Archbishop of the Diocese of Strasbourg in eastern France, stated in a declaration that "I hurt someone in the 1980s" and "I deeply regret what I did." He said that during that time he "lost his way," but did not specify what wrongdoing he committed or to whom.

Following the statement by former Archbishop Grallet, the Strasbourg prosecutor's office admitted that it has been investigating him since January in connection with sexual crimes. Additionally, Luc Ravel, the current Archbishop of the Strasbourg Diocese, revealed that upon hearing from a woman that she had been sexually abused by former Archbishop Grallet, he immediately reported it to the prosecutor's office.

Earlier, on the 7th, Archbishop ?ric de Moulins Beaufort, chairman of the French Bishops' Conference, stated at a press conference related to the autumn plenary assembly held in Lourdes, "There are 11 current and former French bishops who have been indicted by prosecutors or are undergoing church disciplinary procedures for sexual abuse and related crimes," adding, "Among them, six former bishops have already been indicted," which caused a significant shock to the Catholic Church in France and worldwide. Archbishop Beaufort added, "Some of the accused bishops are expected to be prosecuted by judicial authorities, church courts, or both."

At the same event, Archbishop Beaufort read a statement from Cardinal Jean-Pierre Ricard (78), acknowledging past sexual abuse and asking for forgiveness. In the statement, Cardinal Ricard said, "35 years ago, during my time as a priest, I committed 'blameworthy' acts against a 14-year-old girl," and "I repeatedly ask for forgiveness as my actions caused serious and lifelong irreparable harm to that person." The cardinal also stated, "I will step down from all positions and await the judgment of the law." Cardinal Ricard served as Archbishop of the Bordeaux Diocese from 2001 to 2019, was elevated to cardinal in 2006, and participated in the 2013 papal conclave.

In response, the Vatican announced on the 11th that it will soon begin an investigation into Cardinal Ricard. Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni said, "We will start a preliminary investigation as soon as we find a qualified person with autonomy, fairness, and experience." AFP noted that because the sexual crimes by former Archbishop Grallet and Cardinal Ricard occurred so long ago, it is likely that prosecutors may not be able to indict them.

According to a report released in October last year by the French Catholic Sexual Abuse Independent Commission (CIASE), at least 210,000 victims of sexual abuse occurred over 70 years from 1950 to 2020, involving approximately 3,000 clergy and religious members. Including sexual abuse cases that occurred in church-run or church-affiliated institutions, the number of victims reaches 330,000. The independent commission pointed out that a structural problem within the diocese, which prevented the prosecution of offending clergy, contributed to the increase in sexual abuse cases.

In France, at the end of last year, Archbishop Michel Aupetit of the Paris Archdiocese resigned amid controversies over diocesan management and personal life, and Bishop Michel Santier of the Cr?teil Diocese also stepped down in June last year due to disgraceful reasons related to sexual crimes.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.