Lasallian Schools Accused of Decades of Abuse, Collective Demands Accountability
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A collective of former students is alleging widespread and systemic physical and sexual abuse within the network of Catholic schools run by the Lasallian order, spanning from the 1950s to the 1980s. The allegations include rapes, beatings, and humiliations, prompting calls for a comprehensive investigation and substantial financial reparations.
Years of Silence Broken
For decades, survivors remained silent, burdened by shame and the authority of the Church. Now, a group primarily composed of individuals aged 50 to 70 is coming forward to detail harrowing experiences allegedly suffered at around twenty Lasallian establishments across France. The collective is demanding the Congregation acknowledge its responsibility for what they describe as “systemic” violence and establish a €100 million fund for victims.
Financial Compensation Already Paid, But Concerns Remain
The Lasallian congregation has acknowledged the allegations, stating it takes them “very seriously.” Since 2014, the order has operated a listening unit to collect reports and provide support to victims, according to its lawyer, Matthias Pujos. To date, the unit has recorded 72 referrals, with financial compensation totaling €2,434,882 already disbursed to 70 individuals, following recommendations from the Church’s Recognition and Reparation Commission (CRR).
However, a significant portion of the alleged abuse falls outside the statute of limitations for prosecution. While the congregation has filed three legal reports since 2022 – with prosecutors in Besançon, Évry-Courcouronnes, and Reims – these pertain to cases involving suspects who are still alive. The collective’s focus remains on addressing the widespread, historical abuse that has gone unpunished.
Horrific Testimonies Emerge
The accounts shared by survivors paint a disturbing picture of unchecked abuse within the school system. Philippe Auzenet, 73, a co-founder of the collective, recounted a terrifying ordeal at a Lasallian school in Rouen, stating, “Between the ages of 7 and 9, I was threatened with death, assaulted, tied up, they hung me by the feet, they had butcher knives and threatened to gouge out my eyes. It ruined my life.”
Another survivor, wishing to remain anonymous, described experiencing “violence and touching” by both brothers and lay teachers at the Saint-Augustin school/college in Saint-Germain-en-Laye (Yvelines) between 1969 and 1978. The allegations encompass a range of abuses, including physical violence, bullying, humiliation, unwanted touching, sexual assault, and rape.
Call for Testimonies and Systemic Change
The collective is actively seeking additional testimonies to bolster their case and shed further light on the extent of the abuse. They hope to demonstrate the pervasive nature of the problem and compel the Lasallian congregation to take full responsibility for its past actions. The group believes a €100 million reparation fund is a necessary step toward healing and providing long-term support for survivors.
The unfolding situation underscores a growing reckoning within the Catholic Church regarding historical abuse and the urgent need for transparency and accountability.
