A spokesperson for the priests who formerly ran a French Catholic school at the center of abuse allegations has acknowledged their responsibility for the suffering of victims and pledged to make amends.
Allegations of widespread sexual and physical abuse at the Notre-Dame de Bétharram school near Pau have cast a shadow over the political career of François Bayrou, the town’s mayor since 2014. Critics claim he was aware of some accusations dating back to the 1990s during his tenure as education minister but failed to act. However, prosecutors announced on Monday that complaints against Bayrou had been dropped, stating that no offence had been committed.
Since last year, police have received more than 150 complaints of violence, sexual assault, and rape at the school. Speaking publicly for the first time, 75-year-old priest Laurent Bacho, representing the Congregation of Fathers of Bétharram, expressed deep remorse.
"We are profoundly affected by what happened… by the suffering of these children who came here to be protected and educated," Bacho told AFP. He said he had personally met with eight victims and described learning about the abuse as "painful" for the congregation.
While denying personal guilt, Bacho admitted responsibility, revealing that the congregation had already spent €700,000—60% of its financial reserves—to compensate 19 survivors whose cases fell beyond the statute of limitations. A special commission established in 2021 to investigate abuse within the Catholic Church had formally recognized them as victims.
To provide compensation for victims abused by non-religious staff, the congregation is now considering selling real estate. Bacho also confirmed that an independent commission is being funded to investigate the causes of the abuse, interview victims, and examine historical records.
"Why didn’t we see anything?" he questioned, though he dismissed the notion of systemic abuse, instead attributing the crimes to "deviant individuals."
Bayrou, who served as education minister from 1993 to 1997, has denied any wrongdoing, accusing his critics of using the scandal to damage his reputation.