Dance of the New Religious Movements - update from last year following uncovering of massive systematic abuse

Extraordinary promotional video

The Apostolic Sisters of Saint John on the path to reparation…?

Apostolic Sisters of Saint John- scandal magnet and not the only one among the new religious movements

The report indicated that since 1975, the year the community was founded, "72 brothers have committed sexual abuse and 167 victims of brothers have been identified."

It should be recalled that the report "Understanding and Healing" (published in June 2023) on sexual assault within the religious community of the Brothers of Saint John, highlighted the "spiritual influence" exercised by its founder, Father Marie-Dominique Philippe, which was at the root of the congregation's deviances.

The report indicated that since 1975, the year the community was founded, "72 brothers have committed sexual abuse and 167 victims of brothers have been identified."

The Saint-Jean family comprises three religious institutes:

The Brothers of Saint-Jean (422 members today, founded in 1975), the Contemplative Sisters of Saint-Jean (53 members, founded in 1982), and the Apostolic Sisters of Saint-Jean (175 members, founded in 1984).

Monsignor Benoît Rivière, Bishop of Autun, announced at the chapter meeting in Semuren-Brionnais on Sunday, March 3, 2024, the appointment of an Apostolic Commissioner, an assistant, and two people specifically responsible for the sisters living outside the community and those with physical and mental health needs. This was accompanied by a letter addressed to all sisters by the Dicastery.

The decree sets out the decisions taken by the Dicastery until the next Elective Chapter:

Father Benoît GRIERE, Augustinian of the Assumption, as Apostolic Commissary

In the letter addressed to the sisters, the Dicastery expresses its gratitude for the gift of their consecrated lives to the Lord, recognized and gratefully accepted by the Church. The letter emphasizes that one of the principal missions of the Commissary will be to continue the efforts already undertaken by the sisters and salutes their courage in deepening their religious formation, drawing inspiration from the treasure of religious tradition inherited from the history of the Church.

The letter also evokes the work of clarifying the spiritual heritage specific to the Institute, a path of continuous and synodal conversion, of listening to and welcoming the Holy Spirit.

The Dicastery specifies various points of attention to be discerned, thus expressing its hope for each of the sisters and for the Institute as a whole. Thus, supported by the grace of Christ, the apostolic sisters of Saint John will be able to rise again and bear witness to his Mercy to the world.

Source