The Italian Episcopal Conference (CEI) and its new president, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, announced on Friday the launch of a study on the sexual abuse of children and vulnerable people within the institution over the past 20 years, under the pressure from associations which continue to demand an independent investigation.
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"
It is our duty in the face of so much suffering
," said Bishop Zuppi, a 66-year-old cardinal presented as a progressive and appointed Tuesday as head of the peninsula's bishops, at a press conference.
In a final press release published at the end of its general assembly in Rome, the IEC promises that this “
study will be carried out with the collaboration of independent research institutes
”, in order to “
achieve a more in-depth and objective knowledge
” of the alleged attacks or confirmed committed by clerics in Italy between 2000 and 2021.
“Improving prevention and control measures”
It will use the data provided by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Vatican institution heir to the Roman Inquisition and responsible in particular for questions of sexual assault within the Catholic Church.
“
This will make it possible to improve prevention and control measures, as well as to support victims and survivors with better knowledge
,” she adds.
The CEI also undertakes to multiply the listening centers in the dioceses - currently deployed in approximately 70% of the country - and to carry out an initial national report on the cases reported during the past two years.
These announcements disappointed the victims' associations.
Francesco Zanardi, assaulted by a priest when he was a teenager and founder of the main victims' association, "
Réseau L'Abus
" (Rete L'Abuso, in Italian), considered it "
discriminatory
" to only study cases from 2000, "
which excludes many cases, including mine
", speaking to the press.
In an interview on Friday with AFP, Francesco Zanardi deplored the Italian "
problem of the state
" and "
the flaws
" of the legislative system, which "
cannot intervene
", believing that "
everyone must do their part
" .
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On May 16, associations, lawyers and journalists united in the “
ItalyChurchToo
” (“
The Church of Italy
Too ”) movement had published an open letter calling for an independent investigation “
carried out by impartial and high-level professionals
” in a country with a Catholic majority and where the Church retains great influence.
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