Maria Voce: “Immense suffering and unconditional collaboration by the Movement so as achieve clarity; the establishment of an independent inquiry after a meeting with some victims of a former consecrated member of Focolare”.

“Faced with this immense suffering, we are convinced that the only path to follow is that of offering the victims full attention and recognition of the harm done. I wish here to reiterate the Movement’s full and unconditional collaboration, to shed full light on the facts and do justice to the victims.”

This is what Maria Voce, President of the Focolare Movement, said in a press release dated 22nd October 2020 on the case of violence against minors by J.M.M. a former consecrated member of the Focolare, who lives in France.

A victim has made his case public, which goes back to 1981 and 1982 when – aged 15 – he was sexually molested.

An independent body is being established through which the Focolare Movement has decided to initiate a special inquiry, after the meeting with some victims on 18th September 2020. On that occasion Jesús Morán, Co-president of the Focolare Movement, expressed his pain and shame for the abuses suffered “and also for the silence or lack of initiative sustained for years on the part of various people in positions of responsibility”.

The composition of the independent body will be made public shortly. Its task will be to listen to the victims and to gather further testimonies, as well as investigating whether there were any omissions, cover ups or silences on the part of those responsible for the Movement. At the end of the investigation, the independent Body will make its final report public.

In the interests of the completeness of the investigation and to guarantee full transparency, the two people co-responsible for the Focolare in France and one of the people co-responsible for the Movement in Western Europe offered their resignation from their respective roles on 21st October 2020. These were accepted by the Focolare President.

Joachim Schwind

Press release

13 Comments

  • Recuerdo que Chiara en cierto momento, pidió a los focolarinos y focolarinas , no tener licor en los focolares, sería bueno volverlo a retomar , y que no sea una excusa para hacerse uno, con los jóvenes.
    Ellos buscan radicalidad en todo !!

  • Il est temps de se reveiller ?
    L’entre soi aurait-il enfin vecu ?
    Le dogmatisme, la vénération et la négation de soi sont le berceau des perversions !

  • Piena partecipazione al dolore delle vittime ed anche al dolore dell’Opera. Chiediamo lo Spirito Santo perché ogni passo sia fatto nell’Amore a Gesù Abbandonato.
    Il mio cuore soffre con tutti quei che soffrono.
    Chiara ci aiuterà ad andare sempre avanti con coraggio e uniti oltrepasseremmo questo mare impetuoso.

  • Union de prière pour vous tous du Mouvement qui devez faire enquête sur cette affaire .
    Particulièrement Maria Voce la présidente .
    1

  • Tudo que é colocado em unidade e resolvido por Deus, este é um momento de dor e sofrimento , tudo será resolvido que Deus coloque a paz e perdão no coração dos envolvidos. Um crime como este sempre é bom colocar ao conhecimento da Justiça para que não aconteça mais, ficar em silêncio e esconder o autor é a pior decisão. Eu sou um policial e vejo o sofrimento destas crianças.

  • Meu coração ficou dilacerado com está notícia mas Chiara me ensinou a amar Jesus Abandonado, fazer justiça ou seja ser coerente. Sofrer com quem sofre. Que Deus em sua infinita misericórdia ilumine nossos passos .

  • Corresponde hacer todo en total transparencia para que no merme la confianza. Le pedimos al Espíritu Santo guíe a las personas que llevarán el caso.

  • Corresponde hacer todo transparente para que no merme la confianza. Le pedimos al Espíritu Santo guíe a las personas que tienen que deliberar.

  • Me sumó inmediatamente , al inmenso ” dolor”
    Pero con la certeza , de qué sé harán, las cosas bien.
    Sin dejar de ” AMAR ”
    Me ha hecho recordar a ” CHIARA qué nos decía, qué IMPORTA… AMARTE IMPORTA !!!!!

  • No hay que añadir ni una coma a lo que dice Emmaús, sino hacer justicia , escuchar a las víctimas y poner todo en manos de Dios y María Santísima.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *