The Stanislas school responds to criticism.
Guest on the Franceinfo morning show this Thursday, January 18, Louis Manaranche, associate professor of history and director of preparatory classes at Stanislas College, responds to accusations of “
abnormalities
” within the private Catholic establishment.
Abuses concerning, among other things, the question of homosexuality, are in fact highlighted in the report of the General Inspectorate of Education, made public by
Mediapart
on Tuesday evening.
Problematic remarks about homosexuality?
An “isolated”
case
, that of a catechist, since sanctioned and dismissed, he said.
Compulsory catechism?
A confusion with the religious instruction course, which is not the same as the catechism course, although optional.
An attempt to cover up the report?
False, replies the director of preparatory classes on the public service radio channel.
A catechist sanctioned and dismissed
“There was no generally sexist and homophobic atmosphere at Stanislas
,” Louis Manaranche immediately defends.
On the other hand, there have been “
particular cases of perfectly well-documented departures from the track
,” he admits.
Particularly from a catechist whose intervention is detailed at length
.”
This catechist is
“the one who talks about conversion therapy, rape, etc. at the same time.
He was immediately sanctioned and expelled from the establishment.”
According to the director, the speaker “
chose the moment of the inspection to make his splash.
I think there was a militant approach on his part
.”
He was fired
“the same day.”
Since these incidents,
“we have begun much more precise training for Stanislas catechists and the establishment of control bodies
,” adds Louis Manaranche.
Also read: What is Stanislas, where Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra sends her children to school?
For the latter, it is therefore an
"isolated case"
, although in the past for the most part, the atmosphere in the establishment on the subject of homosexuality "
was not necessarily always conducive to the greatest respect for people in their diversity
,” agrees the associate professor.
Louis Manaranche insists that Stanislas “
infinitely respects the dignity of all people in their diversity
”.
Catechism classes are optional
As for the obligation to enroll children in catechism classes, Louis Manaranche regrets a
“small equivocation”
between “
catechism and religious instruction
” which are two different things.
In Stanislas, religious instruction (or religious culture), which is an
“exposure of the Christian faith”
, is
“obligatory”
.
“But, if we are preparing a sacrament, its communion, its confirmation, there are additional courses, which are, of course, optional,”
notes the director who insists on “
total freedom of conscience
” on this point.
“If we are asked to improve the proposal for religious instruction courses so that they are, in the eyes of inspectors or National Education, more compliant with the Debré law, we can do so. It’s a discussion that is open
,” he adds.
After the suspension of its funding, the City of Paris requested clarification from the Catholic establishment.
Louis Manaranche assures that Stanislas collaborates and “
will continue to work in concert with the rectorate of the Paris academy
”.
No “cover-up”
Two communist elected officials denounced a “
desire to conceal
” the report on the part of Stanislas, according to Franceinfo.
Céline Malisé, president of a Communist Party group
,
had
in fact ,
on
An attack contested by Louis Manaranche: “
I absolutely contest the cover-up.
I understand the concerns about respecting the contract.
We need to take them very seriously.
But I think very sincerely and very deeply that Stanislas respects the Debré law and the republican framework.
» If the report was not made public, it is
“because there was no disciplinary procedure, because there were no facts characterized apart from the one that we have already mentioned
,” insists the associate professor.
Stanislas’ “own character”
So why didn't Stanislas act more quickly?
“
In reality, we still reacted.
Mr. Gautier, the director of Stanislas had already issued a press release after the first revelations from
Mediapart
to say the things that had changed
,” defends the director of preparatory classes.
But these actions would have been carried out in “
a non-media time
”, he specifies.
The professor finally recalled the importance of "
Stanislas' own character
", such as "
the proposition of non-mixedness, the proposition of Christian life in Stanislas, which is part of our identity"
, and which corresponds to the expectations of certain parents. who choose to put their children in this establishment.
Before concluding: “
We must distinguish between the real abuses against which we are fully resolved to take definitive action and then Stanislas’ own character.
»