Violences sexuelles au sein de l’Église : une association de protection de l’enfance demande l’annulation de la messe du pape à Paris

A French child rights organisation has filed a legal challenge against the planned papal mass in Paris, arguing that the event risks undermining the dignity of victims of sexual abuse within the Catholic Church. The group, Mouv'Enfants, which campaigns against all forms of violence against children, has requested the cancellation of the mass scheduled for September 26, 2026, on Place de la Concorde and along the Champs-Élysées. The organization claims that the Catholic Church’s visibility during the event fails to acknowledge the hundreds of thousands of victims of sexual abuse committed by clergy and lay members over decades. The legal action was submitted to the Administrative Court of Paris, accompanied by a request for an injunction to suspend the event. According to reports, Mouv'Enfants cited the findings of the Independent Commission on Sexual Abuse in the Church (Ciase), which estimated that approximately 216,000 individuals were victims of sexual abuse by clerics or religious figures between 1950 and 2020. This number rises to around 330,000 when including cases involving lay workers in church-run institutions. The association emphasized that its campaign does not target believers or the freedom of religion, but rather questions how victims are treated in decisions of such magnitude. The organization argues that the decision to hold the mass, without prior consultation, violates principles of human dignity, which it describes as part of the public order. Mouv'Enfants contends that the police authorities should have considered the potential impact of the event on victims of sexual abuse within the Church. The group also invoked the principle of proportionality and the neutrality of public entities, suggesting that the scale of the event could cause lasting harm to survivors. According to the association, the mass is set to take place despite their repeated requests for transparency. They claim that the event has already been approved, with officials indicating that the Stade de France is fully booked and that over 400,000 people have registered for the ceremony. Mouv'Enfants asserts that the lack of communication regarding the event’s approval undermines their ability to respond effectively. They argue that the timing of the legal challenge means that a final ruling may come too late to prevent the event from occurring. The association further warns that even if the court rules against them, the damage to the dignity of victims will have already occurred. “If the mass takes place, the violation of dignity we invoke will have already happened and cannot be undone,” they stated. The case highlights the growing tension between religious institutions and advocacy groups seeking greater accountability for historical abuses. The Catholic Church has yet to issue an official statement on the legal challenge. However, the Vatican has previously acknowledged the existence of systemic abuse and has taken steps to address past misconduct, including establishing independent commissions and implementing reforms aimed at preventing future abuse. Despite these efforts, critics argue that the Church still lacks sufficient transparency and accountability, particularly in relation to the treatment of victims. As the legal proceedings unfold, the situation reflects broader debates about the role of religious institutions in public life and the responsibilities of governments to protect vulnerable populations. The outcome of this case may influence future discussions on how societies balance religious expression with the rights of survivors of abuse. For now, the focus remains on the legal arguments presented by Mouv'Enfants and the response from the authorities overseeing the event.