Margaret Karram: "I commit myself on behalf of the Focolare Movement to respond with actions, listening, reception and prevention measures to the final recommendations formulated by the independent investigation."
He Focolare Movement announces the results of the investigation carried out by an external and independent body on the cases of sexual abuse that have involved JMM, a former established member of the Focolare Movement in France.
The investigation was commissioned on December 23, 2020 by the Focolare to the British company GCPS Consulting, an independent body whose mission has always been to help institutions improve their abuse prevention and reporting systems. To ensure the integrity, quality, and reliability of the investigation process and its results, the Focolare Movement also appointed Alain Christnacht, former senior French official, as an independent supervisor, with no connection to the Motion.
At the request of the victims, the Focolare Movement entrusted the investigation to an independent commission in the same spirit as the French Episcopal Conference which in February 2019 had entrusted to the CLASS (Independent Commission on Sexual Abuse] to conduct an investigation into the entire French Catholic Church with the sole aim of placing victims at the heart of priorities and investigative work.
The independent body has received testimony covering the period 1958-2020, clearly showing that JMM is responsible for abuses at various levels against at least 26 victims.
GCPS Consulting summarizes the work done for the survey as follows:
“Listening to the victims has been one of the main tasks, as well as a challenge, of the process, for the victims and for the investigation team, but it is the most important element.
The report describes the events over five decades in which JMM sexually abused or attempted to abuse his victims, mainly teenage boys, describing his modus operandi and also the context in which the abuse occurred. The inquiry heard from other victims of abuse, some sexual and other forms of abuse, from a significant number of victims and witnesses.
The report also highlights the fact that the abuse was widespread and unaddressed, even when it was reported to those responsible and in positions of responsibility. The Inquiry was asked to examine the level of awareness of these incidents by those responsible at the time and subsequently, and to assess how they were addressed. The report details that the complaints were not adequately addressed, the victims were not listened to, were not treated appropriately, and opportunities to respond to JMM's abuse and prevent further incidents were missed.
Finally, the report describes in detail how the Focolare Movementhas more recently developed protective measures and makes a number of recommendations aimed at strengthening the safeguarding environment, including those related to fundamental changes at the cultural and leadership levels.”
After examining the report Margaret Karram, President of the Focolare Movement, said: "There are no adequate words to express the shock and pain I feel for the harm JMM has caused to children and adolescents, and – I must say this with great sorrow – not only for him, as the results of the investigation show."
Addressing the victims he added:
"At this moment, all my thoughts and words go out to you, who have suffered a very serious crime that in many cases has ruined your lives.
TO EACH OF YOU, EACH ONE PERSONALLY,
TOGETHER WITH CO-PRESIDENT JESUS MORÁN,
AND IN THE NAME OF THE FOCOLARI MOVEMENT,
I HUMBLY ASK YOUR FORGIVENESS.
We must recognize that, despite the good that the Motion has done throughout its history, in this area we have failed in monitoring, listening and accepting the cry for help of many: this can no longer happen again and is in total contradiction with the values that the Focolare Movement, with his Christian spirituality, is called to live.
I undertake, on behalf of the Focolare Movement, to respond with actions, listening, reception and prevention measures, to the final recommendations formulated by the independent investigation."
He Focolare Movement is more determined than ever to ensure that its communities around the world are safe and mutually enriching places. As the research of the GCPS, in 2011 the Motion launched an in-depth evaluation of measures to prevent abuse and protect people. These measures were reviewed in 2014 and 2020 and will be further updated following an in-depth review of the results of this investigation.
He Focolare Movement has informed the French Episcopal Conference and to Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life of the publication of the report.
The main concern of the Motion is to contribute as much as possible to the reconstruction process of the victims, including financial compensation if necessary and required. For this reason, on the recommendation of the Church in France, Focolare Movement has requested the Independent commission for reconnaissance and repair (CRR), a multidisciplinary body composed of experts from civil society and established by the CORREF (Conference of Religions and Religieuses of France) to assist victims who wish to do so in their reparation process. Victims can now contact this organization.
E-mail: victimes@crr.contact – Tel: 09 73 88 25 71
Web page: https://www.reconnaissancereparation.org
To maintain the commitment made to the victims of JMM, the Motion, for several months now, has activated a psychological support procedure coordinated by Dr. Alexis VancappelThis procedure will continue for victims who have already used this service.
He Focolare Movement reports that in the coming weeks it will announce the actions and measures it intends to implement to respond to the recommendations expressed in the report.
The results of the research are published in full and are accessible to all on the websites of GCPS Consulting and in the French page and International of the Focolare MovementCurrently, the research is available in English, French, and Italian; German, Spanish, and Portuguese will be added later.
Stefania Tanesini
Independent Research (full text)
Report by Supervisor Alain Christnacht
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In Spain there is a State Commission who works in close contact with the Central Commission for the Welfare and Protection of Minors and Vulnerable Persons (COBETU) of the Focolare MovementThe functions of this State Commission are:
- Training for all those who carry out activities with minors within the Focolare movement.
- Development of the internal procedure when a report of abuse is received and the accused is not a focolarino (carried out directly by the International Commission).
- Be available to those who have suffered abuse.
Contact details of the State Commission: protecciondelmenor@focolares.org – 628857657
