Demand for Swiss bishops to suspend their office pending investigation

Four of the six sitting Swiss bishops face cover-up allegations. One member of the SBC is accused of sexual abuse. Until the conclusion of the ongoing preliminary investigation, the bishops concerned should suspend themselves from their office. "That is what decency demands," writes Annalena Müller in her commentary.

Of course, no one is surprised by what is written today in the SonntagsBlick. Those who claim otherwise are hypocrites. For years, no, decades, the media have been uncovering abuse case after abuse case. The cases, whether in the USA, France, Germany or Switzerland, usually have one thing in common: they were covered up by those responsible.

Episcopal inactivity

Of course, those in charge have always known what was going on in their dioceses. They also knew that canon law obliges them to act. The problem is not - and never was - ignorance. The problem was - and is - the inaction of the church superiors. And this episcopal inaction seems to continue, despite all public pronouncements.

This is the only explanation for the fact that six Swiss bishops are currently facing cover-up allegations. There is an allegation of abuse against another member of the SBC. Four of these bishops are currently in office.

Accusations against four acting bishops

Not all of the allegations made public today are new. Bishop Charles Morerod of the diocese of Lausanne, Geneva and Fribourg and his auxiliary bishop Alain de Raemy, who is currently apostolic administrator of the diocese of Lugano, have repeatedly faced cover-up allegations in recent years.

He too allegedly failed to report a case of abuse: Jean-Marie Lovey, Bishop of Sion.

What is new, however, is the accusation against the Bishop of Sion, Jean-Marie Lovey and three other bishops. Joseph Bonnemain is conducting a preliminary canonical investigation against these six.

Felix Gmür is not in Bonnemain's investigation dossier. This is because the Basel case is not one of those reported to Rome by Nicolas Betticher. Gmür's violation of canon law in an abuse case was only recently uncovered by the "Beobachter". The bottom line is that four of the six sitting Swiss bishops are facing accusations.

The silence of the bishops

Nicolas Betticher sent the letter, the contents of which became public today, four months ago. Joseph Bonnemain has been leading the preliminary investigation for almost three months. So what may be new to the public has been known to those concerned for months.

Bishop Felix Gmür is also under pressure - but not on Bishop Bonnemain's investigation list.

Instead of communicating proactively, the bishops have been silent for the last few months. They have presumably hoped that things will somehow work out. Yet it would be their duty to prevent damage to the Church. Even if they are the ones doing the damage.

Averting harm from the Church

Canon law lists reasons for which a priest can be removed from office. These include "conduct causing serious harm", "loss of good reputation" and "gross neglect of official duties" (Can. 1741).

Sure, these provisions apply to pastors and not to bishops. But bishops should also be guided by these rules. And they should be mindful of their duty to prevent harm to the Church. Only through consistent action can one begin to regain squandered trust.

The world has long since understood this. And the bishops? Decency would demand that the accused rest their office until the preliminary investigation is completed. And if the accusations should prove true? Then decency and the spirit of the times would demand their resignation.

Source