Custody Extended for Two Suspects in Notre-Dame-de-Bétharram Abuse Investigation
Pau, France – 28 April 2023 – The custody of two of the three men arrested on Wednesday as part of the investigation into physical and sexual abuse within the Catholic institution Notre-Dame-de-Bétharram has been extended, the Pau prosecutor’s office said Thursday.
"The custody measures for the suspects born in 1955 and 1965 have been extended. On the other hand, the custody of the suspect born in 1931 has been terminated," stated Rodolphe Jarry, public prosecutor in Pau, in a press release.
The three suspects were arrested as part of an ongoing investigation into allegations of physical and sexual abuse at the boarding school run by the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. The alleged crimes span several decades, with the oldest dating back to the 1950s.
The investigation was launched in 2022 after several former students came forward with their accounts of abuse. Since then, more than 30 alleged victims have filed complaints, with allegations ranging from physical violence to sexual assault.
The two suspects whose custody has been extended are a former teacher and a former dormitory supervisor. The third suspect, who was released, was a former priest.
The investigation is being conducted by the gendarmerie’s research section in Pau, with the support of the national Office for the Fight against Child Pornography and Sexual Crimes. The gendarmes have seized documents and electronic devices from the school and the suspects’ homes.
The Diocese of Bayonne, Lescar, and Oloron, which oversees the school, has expressed its "deep sorrow and regret" over the allegations and has pledged its full cooperation with the investigation. The diocese has also set up a hotline for victims and witnesses to report any information they may have.
The investigation is ongoing, and further arrests are not ruled out. The next update on the case is expected in the coming weeks.
Implications for the Catholic Church
The Notre-Dame-de-Bétharram case is the latest in a series of scandals involving sexual abuse within the Catholic Church. These scandals have shaken the faith of many Catholics and have led to calls for reform within the Church.
The Church has been criticized for its handling of abuse allegations, with victims often being silenced or ignored. In recent years, the Church has taken some steps to address the issue, such as implementing mandatory reporting policies and creating independent commissions to investigate allegations.
However, critics argue that these measures do not go far enough and that the Church needs to do more to hold its members accountable and to prevent future abuse from occurring.
The Notre-Dame-de-Bétharram case is a reminder of the ongoing problem of sexual abuse within the Catholic Church. It is a tragedy for the victims and their families, and it is a challenge for the Church to rebuild trust and to ensure that such abuses never happen again.
