In the Dordogne, an abbot, implicated in the sexual abuse of a child 55 years ago, was relieved of all his ecclesiastical functions

The diocese initiated the canonical process after the religious admitted, in 2018, an assault committed in 1970 against a student under the age of 15, the facts of which have now been determined but are now made public to the faithful.

Father Martial, 84, who was involved in the sexual abuse of a child 55 years ago at a college in Bergerac (Dordogne), was relieved of all his ecclesiastical functions by the Church on November 21, Périgord (formerly France Bleu) learned this Tuesday from the diocese of Périgueux and Sarlat. The attack was carried out in 1970 while Father Martial was working as a supervisor at the Catholic college Saint-Front in Bergerac. The diocese requested the opening of canonical procedures to permanently dismiss the Abbot of Bergerac.

According to information from ICI Périgord, Father François Martial assaulted, in 1970, a student under the age of 15 inside the school building. Today, the victim died, according to the diocese. In 2018, the cleric admitted to sexual abuse before the bishops of Périgueux and Sarlat. Monsignor Philippe Mousset then reported this fact to the public prosecutor. However, the case was closed without further action, based on the available facts. The victim did not want to file a complaint.

Since 2018, the abbot has been verbally removed from his duties by the bishop. He no longer leads the church of Saint-Jacques in Bergerac, he no longer has parish responsibilities, but he sometimes works in nursing homes as president of the WIT association that organizes performances.

In its press release, the diocese wrote “that if the facts are so old, we need to acknowledge the suffering they cause and be honest. The Church’s work of justice will be able to participate in this.” The diocese added to that “Abbot Martial also wants it”. Saint-Jacques-en-Bergeracois church parishioners present at mass on Sunday, November 23 were informed of the attack and this decision.

The hearing cell opened on Friday. “We are determined that we can take every measure so that every victim can contact this listening and reception unit. With Paris, we have signed a partnership, called ‘Stop the abuse’, and there is training for all existing actors. We will ensure that the Christian community is a safe place, and we know that there is work to be done”assured Monsignor Philippe Mousset at ICI Périgord.

“We cannot make a decision without a body that can carry out this preliminary investigation with the aim of canonical trial.”explained Monsignor Philippe Mousset. “Following the Sauvé de la Ciase (Independent Commission on Sexual Abuse in the Church) report at the end of 2021, we took this decision”added the bishop. “Among the recommendations is the creation of a national canonical criminal agency, which will begin to operate in 2023-2024, and with which we can open a preliminary investigation with the aim of being canonically tried, and this gives me the possibility of making a decision to suspend Father Martial during this procedure”he explained.