Bishop Joseph Bonnemain on the abuse scandal: “Those affected have the right not to forgive”

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When the bishop leaves his apartment in the morning, he walks past large memorial plaques. In the Episcopal Castle that towers over Chur, the duties of each bishop are written on the wall. “The virtues,” says Joseph Bonnemain (75). He has been Bishop of Chur since 2021 and is tasked, among other things, with dealing with cases of abuse in the Catholic Church in Switzerland. This also includes research by the University of Zurich, which revealed more than a thousand cases of abuse. “See this sign here,” says Bonnemain. “Here it is written that a bishop must be especially just.”

Have you ever seen an abused person and an abuser make peace with each other?
To be honest: not yet. I have met those affected who would have been willing to do this. But it is difficult to find perpetrators who understand that they have hurt someone. Perpetrators who do not justify themselves do not minimize or ignore the abuse.

Can you forgive these perpetrators?
It’s easier for me because I’m not directly affected by it. I approach everyone lovingly, peacefully, with affection and empathy – including the perpetrators. Those affected, on the other hand, have the right not to forgive.

As a Christian, should you be able to forgive?
No. It’s best if you can. But it must be done voluntarily and out of conviction. And that’s a long way. It is easier for those affected to forgive when they see that the church is changing. If they can trust that people will be protected from such acts as best as possible in the future.

How are you going to do that?
People will not calm down until we fully address the extent of the abuse. As long as the church does not dare to do this, a wound will remain in the hearts. The church must take action to ensure this never happens again. Otherwise, those affected will not find peace.

Is one of these measures the abolition of compulsory celibacy?
Not necessary.

Why not?
Celibacy is a factor in abuse, but not the root cause. By simply abolishing it we would not have done much to prevent abuse.

The abstinent lifestyle clearly attracts the wrong people.
I can imagine that in the future celibacy will no longer be a requirement, but an option. And those who want to be celibate need more control. We must vet all candidates thoroughly and professionally and set the conditions very high. Otherwise we will get into trouble again.

What else do you have planned?
We want to install a national ecclesiastical criminal and disciplinary court. We have also decided that no files from the archives involving abuse may be destroyed. We carry out the professional introduction of personnel files with the involvement of experts. The regulations for the admission of candidates for pastoral care are currently being developed. Work is underway to establish a national independent reporting center for all those affected. And I have published a code of conduct in the Diocese of Chur that regulates the proper interaction with all people in terms of proximity and distance in the ecclesiastical environment.

What does the church need to find peace?
Simplicity, humility, modesty.

Isn’t it already too late for peace in the Catholic Church?
We always have to start over. We are a people of seekers who have not yet reached the goal, who have not yet found wisdom. But dismissal is not an option.

And what does a person need to find peace with themselves?
Peace with yourself can only be found outside yourself.

What do you mean?
Humans are relational beings. It unfolds in exchange, in tenderness and embrace, in closeness and communication. If I want to find peace, I must seek it in relationship with God and other people.

Do you believe in a world without war?
Yes.

Why?
Jesus Christ said, ‘Peace I leave with you. I give you my peace.” But after the birth of Jesus, Mary and Joseph looked for a place to stay, but did not find it. With the appearance of Jesus, peace was born, but what matters is whether we give him space give or not. Peace needs a place in our hearts.

What does that mean in concrete terms?
Peace does not mean being left alone. This is superficial. We have war in Ukraine, Israel and Palestine and many other places in the world. That’s what drives me. We are all brothers and sisters, children of God. To think that you can be at peace with yourself while wars are raging is pure selfishness.

As an individual you can do nothing against these wars.
Peace begins in your own heart and then goes out into the world. He starts very small. When I have tensions with my siblings or in the neighborhood, I cannot make peace. We need oases of peace that spread and gradually change the world. A pandemic of good.

Nevertheless: people are capable of bad things. Have you spoken to victims of abuse yourself?
Yes.

What did you get out of it?
How can I convince those affected that they are not responsible for what happened to them? Not an inch of guilt.

How do you deal with colleagues who believe that we should finally leave the church alone?
Understanding and patient. The same goes for those who want to completely transform the church. A bishop who serves only a small clique is out of place.

What are you doing for peace?
I try every day to be there for the people around me and to be understanding. Life is beautiful, you just have to discover it.

Do you actually ever swear?
Sometimes in my heart I tell the Lord that I have had enough. But the next thought is: help me move on.

Source:Blick