The objective is to investigate alleged cases of sexual abuse in the monastery of Augustinian canons in recent decades. The investigation will be carried out in accordance with legal and historical criteria, the abbey announced this Monday, according to a report on the portal “kath.ch”.
The working group, in which Aubert would have the support of historians from the University of Freiburg, among others, will have “unrestricted access to the institution's archives and also to the testimonies of both the canons and the victims who spoke out on this occasion”. “We want it”, assured the abbey. At the same time, those responsible emphasized that this review does not replace an investigation by the judiciary. Attorney General Aubert serves on the working group as an expert, not as a judge.
Current crimes are reported
The Abbey of Saint-Maurice hopes that this investigation will clarify the allegations against them. The aim of the procedure is to clarify each individual case, discover the truth and achieve “adequate recognition of the victims”, according to the monastery, which is currently headed by an apostolic administrator appointed by the Pope.
If crimes are discovered during the investigation that have not yet been prescribed and that have not yet been judged, these will be reported to the judiciary, the abbey guaranteed. She also reported that, according to a recent official announcement from the Valais Public Prosecutor's Office, there are currently no legal proceedings against an alleged perpetrator. The police continue their investigations.
Serious allegations
The reputation of the Abbey of Saint-Maurice, founded in the 6th century, has been severely damaged in recent months by allegations of sexual misconduct. In November, French-speaking Swiss television RTS reported allegations of abuse against several Augustinian canons of Saint-Maurice, some of whom have since died.
The alleged crimes date back six decades. According to RTS, most of the cases occurred between 1995 and 2005 and apparently were investigated by authorities. They led to pre-trial detention and suspended sentences, and some cases were also dropped.
Oldest monastery in the West
In September, the abbot of Saint-Maurice, Jean Cesar Scarcella (72), resigned from his position until further notice, following an allegation of sexual abuse, to await the results of a Church investigation. The interim leader of the monastery who initially succeeded him also resigned after being accused of sexually assaulting a novice 20 years ago.
At the end of November, Pope Francis appointed the former superior of the Congregation of Greater Saint Bernard, Jean-Michel Girard (75), as apostolic administrator of Saint-Maurice. The abbey is considered the oldest monastery in the West that has existed uninterruptedly. She reports directly to the Pope.