“We Will Investigate Ourselves!”: MEP Missionaries Angry Their Misdeeds are Going Public

2/28/2024

Recently I read this article in The Diplomat by Michel Chambon. This is significant because in parts of Asia, clergy abuse is considered a US or western problem.

That MEP missionaries replied to Michel Chambon.

What they say reflects a typical response when wrongdoing by Roman Catholic clerical organizations is publicized. Here are some key phrases that have caught my attention.

Several key phrases stick out in my mind.

1. “In his eagerness to settle scores with missionaries he once knew, Mr Chambon ignores the presumption of innocence.” The claim that Michel Chambon is just settling scores is itself defamatory. Presumption of innocence is important in legal proceedings. However Michel Chambon’s letter is not a legal proceeding. He is bringing awareness to patterns that are concerning. For one thing he is pointing out that abuse through Asia by the MEP has been systematically ignored. This kind of pattern recognition is essential.
2. “an external audit by the British firm GCPS and will report its findings in December 2024” This audit seems to be funded by the MEP. The results will be reported to the MEP or the Vatican. Audits and investigations paid for by clerical organizations are not independent.
3. “The Vatican has been informed by MEP of the need for this external audit and the results will be communicated to it as a matter of priority.” This implies that either Vatican or the MEP Missionaries themselves will address situations of abuse. Why has it taken so long for this audit to be taking place? And it seems from this statement that the general public will not be made aware of the results of the audit. However there is copious evidence that internal investigations are not unbiased or independent. The Vatican does not address even the worst most morally repugnant situations.
4. “He acknowledges that “the scope of their wealth remains secret”, which should have prompted him to be more cautious than to give figures of which he says he is unaware.” Why don’t the MEP Missionaries simply release their financial information then? Why don’t they disprove what he is saying? This response of “there is no evidence” is frequently given by Roman Catholic institutions. It is as if they think morality hinges on evidence and that as long as wrong doing is thoroughly covered up there is no harm.