It is a long-awaited report. Two months after the inspection conducted on April 11 at the John Paul II Institution of Compiègne (Oise) the conclusions were made this Friday, within the Catholic institution, in the presence of the academic director of the National Education Services (DASEN) of the Oise.
At the beginning of April, five inspectors had been seized by the rector of the academy of Amiens to try to shed light on "serious abuses" and a "culture of censorship" which several teachers had moved internally. It was in particular the refusal of the management to screen two films on homosexuality and abortion - "Simone, the journey of the century" and "Rafiki" - which had led to this inspection.
" READ ALSO Films on homosexuality and abortion censored: the Institution Jean-Paul-II in "serious drift" in Compiègne
Two months later, when tensions have not subsided within the Catholic establishment, the report delivers some "prescriptions and recommendations", without, however, calling into question the contract of association that binds the Catholic establishment to the State.
"Homosexuality in our society is too trivialized"
However, on the sidelines of this report with a rather consensual tone, the rectorate said this Friday that a report was made to the public prosecutor under article 40 of the penal code, confirming information from Mediapart. A report that targets in particular remarks on homosexuals made by members of the management, including Etienne Ancelin, the coordinator of the school.
"Homosexuality in our society is too trivialized, had asserted the head of school. Fortunately, homosexuals are a minority because otherwise, what about our humanity? Homosexuality is not the future of humanity! Another pastoral leader was also moved by "the large number" of homosexuals in society. "They're everywhere," she reportedly said. I am sad to see all these young people thinking that homosexuality can be a path. »
Remarks that led the rectorate to alert the public prosecutor, without mentioning it in the report communicated to the teaching staff. "We must make the balance of things, insists within the academy which confirms to the Parisian this alert. It is necessary to distinguish between these statements made individually and what the inspectorate was able to observe on the spot in terms of respect for the teachings. You cannot attribute an individual's words to an institution. »
"This leadership must now be revoked"
Now alerted, it is up to the justice to decide whether or not to prosecute the head of school. Contacted by Le Parisien, Etienne Ancelin, the coordinator of the school, did not wish to answer our questions. "My role is not to comment on this report," he said.
Some of the institution's teachers are "relieved". A group of teachers had also recently written to the prefect of Oise to report the "various actions and remarks, including homophobic, held by our management". Catherine Seguin had indicated this week that the case of John Paul II is "taken very seriously".
"This report is a relief," admits one teacher. This direction must now be revoked. Because there have been other very shocking and outlawed remarks. It doesn't just have to be about homophobia... »
Topics that are not sufficiently addressed, such as sexuality education
As regards the substance, the report, for its part, does express some reservations. Starting with curricula that would be "generally well respected, but sometimes incompletely". Another criticism made by the inspectors: "cross-cutting themes" such as education for sustainable development, health or sexuality are "addressed unevenly and incompletely". "Some themes are more withdrawn such as sex education," says one within the academy. Not all are treated to the same degree, such as homophobia or LBGT rights. »
The report, in its official version, would not mention, however, the last International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia, celebrated on May 17 in schools. Except for John Paul II, where it was renamed "Day of Fraternity." The poster campaign set up for the occasion by the Ministry of National Education, entitled "Here we can be yourself", was also ignored. A teacher even going so far as to tear down one of these posters...
"Extremist, not to say obscurantist, position"
The report also points to "a certain form of self-censorship" by teachers, where some teachers denounced, on the contrary, a "culture of censorship". "Some of them may not feel comfortable talking about topics such as abortion or contraception," says the academy.
Finally, the inspectors issue some "prescriptions". First recommendation: "Scrupulously ensure compliance with the contract of association," the report stresses. "We expect them to ensure that they fully implement the program and all the cross-cutting themes," says the academy. It also recommends "ensuring dialogue within the institution". "The Rectorate will closely monitor the implementation of these prescriptions. The establishment must be able to resume its activity serenely. »
