Last June, we reported several allegations of sexual assault, two of which involved a brother who is still alive. Since that initial statement, other testimonies involving this same brother have reached the community, also relating sexual assaults on minors, in the form of inappropriate touching. These testimonies have been submitted to the authorities in charge of the investigation.

It is for the judicial authorities alone to qualify the facts in law and to assess the legal consequences in view of the lapse of time since their alleged perpetration. However, there is no reason to doubt the testimony of the victims-survivors, whose suffering remains present after so many years. In view of the seriousness of the acts of which this brother is accused, and their incompatibility with the commitments undertaken by the brothers, Brother Alois has informed him that it was better for him to leave the community. He will live elsewhere and, because of his age, a brother will live with him and others will help to accompany him during this period of his life.

Brother Alois adds: “I know all that with my brothers we have received from him and we are deeply distressed by this. I hope that these decisions, the impact and seriousness of which I fully understand, will help us – and him too – to move forward on this path of ascertaining the truth.”