Promotion of sex abuser priest discourages victims generally from speaking out. The terrible message that the Spina case sends to victims.

"Discourage those who were going to speak out": Priest convicted of rape of a minor promoted to chancellor of the Diocese of Toulouse

The appointment of a priest convicted of rape of a minor in 2006 to the position of chancellor of the Diocese of Toulouse is sparking controversy. While the archbishop is calling for mercy, victims' associations are calling it a worrying signal from the Church.

Since the beginning of June, the Diocese of Toulouse has had a new chancellor: Priest Dominique Spina. This promotion to this administrative position in the Church is controversial, as in 2006, Dominique Spina was convicted of rape of a minor.

"I'm thinking of the victims, who can only be shocked by this appointment," said one member of the faithful on BFMTV. However, others believe that the priest, ten years after his conviction, deserves a pardon.

"He's someone who served his sentence. The law aims to reintegrate people," notes another Toulouse resident. "In the Church, it's a bit the same; there is still forgiveness."

"Showing Mercy"

The Archbishop of Toulouse, for his part, speaks of "mercy" to justify his decision and attempts to quell the controversy in a long statement published on July 10.

"Regarding the case of Father Dominique Spina, the victim was recognized, she received justice, the crime was denounced, and Father Spina spent four years in prison, which he served," writes Monsignor de Kerimel.

"Pope Francis said that God is Mercy; that is His Name. And we Christians are witnesses to divine mercy."

According to him, forgiveness "does not oppose justice," and the position of chancellor suits Father Spina, who has been and will continue to manage the archives, all without "any contact with young people" and "in a very discreet manner."

"Discourage those who would speak out."

These arguments are untenable, according to some sexual violence victim advocacy organizations, which continue to firmly oppose this appointment.

"Being chancellor means having access to all the sensitive files in a diocese, particularly files that may involve pedo-criminal profiles," asserts Olivier Savignac, President of the Parler et revivre association. "He can definitely get involved in these matters."

This is also the signal sent to victims that the organizations denounce, in a Church where pedo-criminality is still a hot topic. "What's very shocking is that we're in a moment of freedom of speech," explains Constance Bertrand, spokesperson for the Saint-Denis victims' collective in Neuilly-sur-Seine, on BFMTV.

Source

"We're seeing people who haven't spoken out for 20, 30, or even 50 years finally speaking out. This kind of promotion, this kind of action, can discourage those who were going to speak out from doing so."

This collective is calling on the Church to take measures to prevent anyone convicted of violence from holding any position within the institution.