Prêtres pédophiles, abus sexuels: les secrets de l’Abbaye de Saint-Maurice
05.12.2023
Swiss Press Award 24 Video – E – François Ruchti
The Secrets of Saint-Maurice Abbey
RTS TV
2024
Francois Ruchti
Winner 2024
Due to its history and influence, theAbbey of Saint-Maurice in Valais is one of the most prestigious institutions of the Catholic Church in Switzerland. But it is also a selective high school known for excellent teaching standards. Following the publication of the University of Zurich’s report on sexual abuse in the church, research by Mise au Point for RTS television revealed that nine priests at the abbey had been reported for sexual assault between 1995 and 2005. Among them, the acting head of the institute, Prior Roland Jaquenoud. The rector of the college was also forced to vacate his post and a canon was relieved of his parish functions. Some of the abusers still hold their positions, others have since died. Beyond individual cases, the research sheds light on systemic cover-ups, and the efforts of the Catholic hierarchy to settle the cases discreetly. Several victims have agreed to testify on camera, and reveal that for a long time no one wanted to believe them. The revelations caused enormous shock in French-speaking Switzerland.