The Society of Jesus, commonly known as the Jesuits, has taken action regarding the alleged cases of sexual abuse in its schools in Catalonia, Spain.
Newsroom(11/06/2023 10:30, Gaudium Press) Jesuit delegate Enric Puiggròs has announced that the congregation has engaged a law firm and a specialized association to investigate the allegations and support the victims.
The Roca Junyent law firm has been hired to clarify the accusations, examine the handling of the cases, and identify those responsible for the alleged reported abuse. For the pastoral care and assistance of the alleged victims, the Jesuits have sought the expertise of the Association for Mediation, Encounter, and Listening (AMEE), an organization experienced in facilitating restorative justice processes.
The Jesuits have expressed their intention to address the victims who find it challenging to approach the institution where the abuses occurred, emphasizing the importance of providing a supportive environment for them.
In their efforts towards transparency and collaboration, the Society of Jesus has made themselves available to the Ombudsman for Grievances in the region, inviting scrutiny of the process and proposed actions, and exploring opportunities for collaboration.
Since 2018, the Jesuits in Catalonia have faced multiple complaints of abuse. The emergence of new allegations, coupled with the fact that not all victims have come forward to the institution, has led to the realization that further action is required, prompting these new external measures related to the cases.
The Jesuits also acknowledged the longstanding work carried out in their network of schools in Catalonia, which adheres to the action protocols established by the regional government. Their initiatives are part of the Safe Environment program, in collaboration with the Vicki Bernadet Foundation.
In a separate development, the Spanish Bishops’ Conference recently presented a report titled “To shed light,” which documented 927 complaints of alleged sexual abuse committed against minors or vulnerable individuals in Spain between 1945 and 2022. It should be noted that the report does not encompass cases involving abuse of conscience and power or offences against adults. The report’s creators emphasize that there may be duplicate cases and that the inclusion of cases does not presume or prove innocence or guilt.
- Raju Hasmukh with file from CNA
