Swiss newspaper exposes abuse within independent Catholic organization in France and globally

The Society of Saint Pius X, a fundamentalist Catholic group, is facing accusations of control, sexual violence, and cultism, with reports of around 60 “problematic priests” within the society. The organization strongly opposes the liberal reforms of the Catholic Church implemented by the Vatican II Council in the 1960s. The society claims to have a presence in over 60 countries with 590 priests and nearly half a million faithful followers. Le Temps, a Swiss newspaper, conducted an investigation into the society which uncovered internal documents showing evidence of violence, including sexual, psychological, and physical abuse, across Europe and worldwide dating back to the foundation of the fraternity in 1970.

The brotherhood was founded by French bishop Marcel Lefebvre in 1970 and is headquartered in Switzerland. Le Temps detailed the society’s extensive reach, with 160 priories and 120 schools located on five continents. The investigation spoke to various sources, including parents, abused former pupils, and victim support groups in France, Belgium, and Switzerland. Despite efforts to incapacitate abusive priests to protect potential new victims, witnesses cited the fraternity’s primary motivation as self-preservation, according to the newspaper. The society declined to answer any questions from the media regarding allegations of clerical abuse.

One victim, Francois de Riedmatten, shared his experience of abuse at the La Peraudiere boarding school in France, where a lay supervisor subjected him to sexual and physical assaults. He confronted his alleged abuser in 2015, as legal recourse was not an option due to the statute of limitations. The school’s current director expressed shock and disgust at the allegations when contacted by Le Temps and confirmed that the accused individual was no longer on staff. The Society of Saint Pius X stated in an email that they prioritize victim support in such cases, offering assistance in filing complaints and guiding individuals through legal procedures.

In response to the investigation, the Valais cantonal authorities are planning to investigate the Fleurs de Mai school, where the alleged abuse took place. Councilor Christophe Darbellay stated that the goal of the investigation is to ensure that no unspeakable practices are ongoing at the school. The education department chief will visit the school with inspectors to assess the situation and demand adherence to good educational practices. The authorities are approaching the investigation cautiously, wanting to thoroughly examine the current state of affairs before taking any further action.

The Society of Saint Pius X’s refusal to engage with the media regarding allegations of clerical abuse has raised concerns about transparency and accountability within the organization. Despite claiming to prioritize victim support and offer assistance in legal matters, the society’s silence on the issue has drawn criticism. The investigative report by Le Temps has shed light on the widespread nature of violence within the society and has prompted calls for further inquiries and interventions to protect vulnerable individuals within the institution. The investigation’s findings have sparked a broader conversation about the need for oversight and reform within religious organizations to prevent and address instances of abuse.