Overview

• A press conference held by the Diocese of Bayonne addressed over 100 allegations of abuse at the Bétharram institution between 1970 and 1990.
• Victims and advocates, including Arnaud Gallais, accused the Church of systemic cover-ups and negligence in addressing abuse claims.
• The Church admitted to historical silence on abuse cases, with leaders expressing shame and pledging to prioritize victim reparations and institutional reform.
• One accused priest, Henri Lamasse, was sanctioned by the Church after admitting to a decades-old sexual assault, though legal action is barred due to statute limitations.
• Victims and advocates criticized past inaction by both the Church and civil authorities, demanding greater transparency, justice, and preventative measures.