the dark side

 CONCLUSION

The Independent Inquiry finds systemic failures in the handling of the JMM case and establishes that a chain of people in charge over many years, both in France and in Rome, failed to act on the situation of JMM in a way that would have protected victims and prevented other incidents of abuse or attempted abuse.

The evidence gathered by the Independent Inquiry demonstrates that forgiveness and a continuous focus on the well being of the perpetrator ouweighed the recognition and realization of the immense suffering of some of the victims. The representatives involved and knowing about the case contented themselves with the fact that, although having admitted sexually abusive and inapropriate situations, JMM was not condemned by the Tribunal. The Leadership of the Movement across all levels and periods did not acknowledge that facts were confirmed (although were not followed up legally because they were time-barred for sexual aggression and discarded for lack of proof for attempted rape). On  a moral and consecration level, JMM was certainly at fault.

The Movement chose to conceal, minimise and deny the facts and was then unable or unwilling to prevent these situations arising again or to simply  identify them and deal with them with determination and justice. JMM is not a unique case in the history of the Movement and in similar ways other situations have not been dealt with. It is important for Focolare to accept and acknowledge the dark side in a Movement that wants to represent unity and harmony and seeks to creat a "family" brought together on the basis of a shared religion and the teachings of Christ. Attitudes are changing but for the future development of  Focolare as a safe organization, it will be crucial that anyone still more focused on protecting the Movement itself rather than individual people, will need to shift from this thinking.

As noted in the conclusion to Allegation A, in addition to this evidence gathered as part of this Inquiry, at the very end of the process, JMM communicated by letter with the Inquiry. In his letter he also notes that when he was indicted on 20 September 1994, JPP, the head of the Movement in France, told him that he had called the Head of the Focolarini in Rome to inform him of the indictment. Thus, JMM confirms that people in charge of the Movement  in Rome at that time were aware of this.

Pope Francis himself reminded the Movement on February 6th, 2021, that:

'In facto, the intermingling of the sphere of governance and the sphere of conscience gives rise to abuses of power and the other abuses we have witnessed once the cauldron of the these unpleasant problems has been uncovered'. (cf. aqui, p. 61)