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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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[–] • 2 pts

Think about it. Christ never intended celibacy for church leadership. He came from a culture that was all about marriage, family, and generations. Look at how God created male and female and the covenant of marriage: His design. Intimate relations: His idea. The Apostle Paul himself recorded how "singleness" i.e. celibacy, was an uncommon gift and that most by far are not made for that. Vast majority are meant for marriage. Singleness does not mean to philander. It is a commitment to celibacy. Outside of marriage any "dating" is defined to be courtship for a future spouse. It is anything but casual. No sleep overs.

The whole celibate priestly doctrine is error in many fundamental ways. For one, NO intermediary between Christ Jesus and the believer. No priest absolves you of sin, period.

The celibacy requirement has only formed a network of those not meant to be celibate, or certainly not interested in marriage as defined by God. Still burning with lust and no wholesome expression, then we see what has resulted. An ecclesiastical nightmare. Abuse of power and position. Use of fear and authority.

Speaking truth. I will not even touch upon the whole thing about the Papacy, and especially the usurpation and demonic activity going on now. Many Catholic believers are simply following as they were taught. They will teach you Catholic doctrine, and hold primacy even over Scripture. Their teachings coming from the Magisterium rule over the interpretation and dissemination of doctrine as THEY see fit. Not saying that Christ cannot be found, He can be found everywhere by those who seek Him. Not Mary. Jesus. Seek Him today. He will help you like no Pope, no priest, no saint, or even the so-called virgin Mary can. Yes, He had siblings. read your Scripture.

Yeah, no surprise the rotten fruit on this tree.

Thus endeth the lesson. Godspeed.

[–] [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.