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The head of an independent enquiry investigating church child abuse in France said Tuesday that there might have been at least 10,000 victims since 1950.

Jean-Marc Sauve, head of a commission set up by the Catholic Church, said that a previous estimate in June last year of 3,000 victims "is certainly an underestimate."

"It's possible that the figure is at least 10,000," he added at a press conference where he delivered an update on the commission's work.

A hotline set up in June 2019 for victims and witnesses to report abuse received 6,500 calls in the first 17 months of operation.

"The big question for us is 'how many victims came forward'? Is it 25 percent? 10 percent, five percent or less?" Sauve told reporters.

The Bishops' Conference of France agreed in November 2018 to set up the commission after huge and repeated child abuse scandals shook the Catholic Church at home and abroad.

The move sparked mixed reactions from victims' associations at the time, who applauded attempts to encourage survivors to speak out, but questioned French prosecutors' willingness and ability to press charges.

Reacting to the new estimate on Tuesday, several victims' associations said they suspected that even 10,000 was an underestimate.

"It's the tip of the iceberg, it's certainly even more," said Veronique Garnier from the group Faith and Resilience.

"10,000 is a lot but it's the bottom of the scale. We're far from the truth," said Jean-Pierre Sautreau, who heads a victims' group in the Vendee region in western France.

  • Final report -
The head of an independent enquiry investigating church child abuse in France said Tuesday that there might have been at least 10,000 victims since 1950. Jean-Marc Sauve, head of a commission set up by the Catholic Church, said that a previous estimate in June last year of 3,000 victims "is certainly an underestimate." "It's possible that the figure is at least 10,000," he added at a press conference where he delivered an update on the commission's work. A hotline set up in June 2019 for victims and witnesses to report abuse received 6,500 calls in the first 17 months of operation. "The big question for us is 'how many victims came forward'? Is it 25 percent? 10 percent, five percent or less?" Sauve told reporters. The Bishops' Conference of France agreed in November 2018 to set up the commission after huge and repeated child abuse scandals shook the Catholic Church at home and abroad. The move sparked mixed reactions from victims' associations at the time, who applauded attempts to encourage survivors to speak out, but questioned French prosecutors' willingness and ability to press charges. Reacting to the new estimate on Tuesday, several victims' associations said they suspected that even 10,000 was an underestimate. "It's the tip of the iceberg, it's certainly even more," said Veronique Garnier from the group Faith and Resilience. "10,000 is a lot but it's the bottom of the scale. We're far from the truth," said Jean-Pierre Sautreau, who heads a victims' group in the Vendee region in western France. - Final report -

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[–] [deleted] • 1 pt

Your words echo the thoughts I haven't had time to write. Very well said.

[–] • 0 pt

You are welcome, saint (believer).

There is no rancor or bitterness in the words given, it is by observation of years standing.

As l see in your other comments, yes, i believe we will be led to much more of a localized fellowship even in the sense of NT house churches. People gathering in community. Not massive groups or even large groups. If the house church grows too sizable, then you split and form more fellowships. Not in the old style of division as in the American church, but in the sense of MULTIPLICATION as in the New Testament church. Wow aint that a word!

I attend three different fellowships. The Lord tells me where to go each week And then He traded up and sent me to yet a fourth. But instead of me "moving" from one church to another, He traded it up there too. He said, it is not to LEAVE those whom you have built relationship with. You are to see them ALL, While i have never held a title or position i do operate in some less common ways. It is like He has given me a larger area to operate in as that is rather some responsibilities i have (He has given me). I can only respond :yes, Lord and i rotate amongst three. One is Bapticostal (Baptist with awareness of Holy Spirit gifts), Pentecostal Holiness (who even preaches HOLINESS anymore) and a house fellowship. People in each of these love the Lord and have authentic relationship with Christ Jesus and with each other.

Tax exempt status That i do not agree with either. it makes you beholden to the secular power But another anon said, yeah, but when they do away with it they will simply tax churches out of existence. Then i realize no, we will just go back to NT church which is localized house churches. Something like that. Def not the Pastor gets a big house and perks and lives way beyond the lifestyle of the followers. Considering what i observe in the American much less the Roman Catholic church, Lord help us all. Get back to our NT roots!!

Thankyou for the good conversation!

The Lord bless you and Godspeed!