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The results of a University of Zurich study into sexual abuse in the Catholic Church shocked Switzerland. Now the Bishop of Western Switzerland, Charles Morerod (61), has commented on the research. The report once again highlights the poor handling of abuse cases in the church, according to a statement released Wednesday by Morerod, which is available to Keystone-SDA. The diocese of Lausanne, Geneva and Fribourg support the measures proposed by the bishops’ conference, the report continues.
These include, in particular, new institutional structures for reporting cases, psychological monitoring of candidates for the priesthood and ordination, professionalization of the workforce and an absolute ban on the destruction of documents related to abuse.
Cultural change should stop similar cases
“We are committed to cultural change within the church,” Morerod assures. He remembered that this had already started, mainly thanks to victim support.
The University of Zurich published a study on Tuesday documenting 1,002 cases of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church in Switzerland since the mid-20th century. According to researchers, this is just the tip of the iceberg as most cases went unreported and documents were destroyed. The investigation was commissioned by three Catholic bodies, including the Swiss Bishops’ Conference.
No comment on allegations
The Swiss Bishops’ Conference announced on Sunday that it had ordered the opening of a preliminary investigation on June 23 into allegations of covering up sexual abuse. A letter made accusations against several emeritus and current members of the Swiss Bishops’ Conference and other clergy in connection with the handling of sexual abuse cases.
Morerod is accused of failing to intervene after reports of abuse. He is said to have even promoted the priest in question. Bishop Morerod told the Keystone-SDA news agency that he could not comment on these allegations because the “facts had been submitted to the relevant authorities,” that is, to the state and ecclesiastical judiciary. He does not want to interfere with the work of these investigations. (SDA)
Source:Blick
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