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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

You've actually read the Bible.

I spent some time yesterday arguing with a Catholic on GAW who is absolutely convinced of the primacy of the Catholic church and their "apostolic tradition" over the word of God. Quoting scripture doesn't work on those types. They don't care. They believe what their church tells them to and accept the primacy of the pope over Christ. It's disgusting.

Still there are many catholics who actually read the Bible or who come from local churches that teach the Bible. I believe many catholics will be among the sheep on the day of Judgment while the papacy will be among the goats.

[–] • 0 pt

Here is the clincher for Catholics.

They are trained in catechism (see, you learn catechism, church doctrine, not SCRIPTURE) that any questioning of doctrine, of not accepting that you must have a priest as intermediary, ALL OF THAT will send you to hellfire if you do not take it hook line and sinker. it is not even leaning on you with threat as much as then you are also loaded with the burden of CLASSIC CATHOLIC GUILT. guilt=condemnation. the guilt overwhelms the blessing of Grace. you lose track of Jesus and what He is if you ever even learn much of Him in the first place. Emphasis on sorrow death and crucifixion. The Roman Rite leans entirely upon His death and holds in second place if at all these days, the Resurrection and the Victory and the Promise.

Trapped. They are indoctrinated and trapped.

I have come to realize that the burden of this error will rest upon the leadership i.e. the priesthood. Catholics are kept at spiritual infancy, many of them. Forgive them for they know not what is true. I have come to belief that as spiritual infants they will not be held to this as much as those who taught them error. Many of them love Jesus. They are captive to false doctrine and still find Christ, many of them. Understanding Him in part due to limits imposed by Catholic doctrine, but leaning on Him and trusting Him in their hearts they are not denied in their love of Jesus. I believe this is a sound thought.

Guess who is REALLY gonna suffer penalty for misleading millions????

So it is fear based. Ok i will jump to this analogy. For the ones abused sexually, they were (and are) victims of the priests who harm them. The innocents, some who were/are abused for YEARS and do not know any better will not be held to the sin imposed upon them. We do know those that further their agenda by abuse will pay the price.

Being Catholic will not automatically send one to hell. Look at some of the false doctrine being pushed in other churches/denominations. Same principle. The ones who misused and misled and preached crooked, heh, they will get to talk to God about it. Smoking section gonna be filled with many abusers, usurpers, and pretenders. Many of the ignorant innocent flock who did not learn any better, there will be grace and mercy for many when they have leaned on Christ NO MATTER what crappy diet of fake doctrine was fed to them. Many STILL find Christ even in the rubble of ecclesiastical abuse of any stripe. It will all ways boil down to if one surrenders to Christ no matter what the landscape around them. He is finding Muslims in the middle of that mess, He will find His own in the mess among the believers.

What i got saved from, yes i owe Christ Jesus everything, and must be in His Word. Even with what little i do understand, that is. I do try. Of all the paths i have been on, on this Path He is the only One Who showed up, personally. All the rest, piles of dust and bones or demonic. Past. Thank You God.

And thank you for the response, anon.

Godspeed.

[–] [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!