French Catholic Church to Replace National Abuse Support Body With Diocesan System in September

The incoming structure, named Renaître, will shift responsibility for initial contact to listening cells in each diocese. The outgoing Independent National Authority for Recognition and Reparation was established in 2022 after an independent commission report on abuse within the Church.

It operated with dozens of paid staff and volunteers, including lawyers, psychologists, and doctors. Renaître will instead rely on a small central team and diocesan coordinators. Victims seeking assistance will first contact their local bishop's listening cell, which can refer them to the central body or to local support workers.

Victims' advocacy groups have expressed concern that the transition may result in uneven treatment and reduced support. The group Fraternité Victimes sent a questionnaire in May to each bishop asking about dedicated staff, a direct phone line, and trauma training for appointees. Only 10 bishops responded by the June 5 deadline.

The groups had previously protested the planned changes, stating they feared the new system would be inadequate.