The truth of child abuse in the MEP

The truth of child abuse in the MEP
Fr. Shay Cullen
3 March 2024

When truth-loving journalists, researchers and teachers research the facts, find the truth, verify and publish it, they are doing a great service to society.

They are the guardians of morality, protectors of human rights, challengers to dictators and abusive institutions and a thorn to tyrants and dictators. The investigative journalists and researchers are the most effective in revealing the truth about wrongdoing, corrupt government officials and institutions.

I received recently a copy of the press release issued by the Missions Etrangères de Paris (MEP). This is a French missionary society that trains and sends missionary priests to many countries in Asia such as Japan, Cambodia, Thailand and some others. It was not about the good works of the society but a severe criticism and what seems a libelous attack on the character of a Catholic theologian, anthropologist and researcher Michel Chambon. He wrote a research a paper on the alleged child sexual abuse by some MEP priests in Asia and long cover up by the authorities in the MEP. They have now admitted there is a problem and are acting to solve it. However, attacking the honest and truthful researcher, Professor Chambon, is like shooting the messenger and ignoring the message.

The document is a right-to-reply letter from MEP to the Diplomat Magazine where the academic research paper titled “France, the Vatican, and the Pan-Asian Sexual Abuse Scandals of MEP Missionaries.”

The subtitle read, “Both French authorities and the Vatican seem reluctant to act on accusations of sexual abuse by French priests in Japan, Thailand, Cambodia, and more.”

The MEP made some very shocking allegations and accusations against the highly respected theologian and anthropologist Michel Chambon, a very competent academic and a well-known research fellow of integrity at the Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore, and a coordinator of ISAC, the Initiative for the Study of Asian Catholics. He is a Visiting Assistant Professor in Anthropology from 2018 at Hanover College, and a Visiting Researcher, Center for the Study of Religion and Society 2017 at the University of Notre Dame.

Right away, I got a copy of that article in The Diplomat and I understood MEP authorities are angry at the writer because it is a well-researched and well-written expose of horrible child sex abuse among Catholic priests in Thailand, Cambodia, Japan and likely in other countries, too.

It describes and provides links to supporting publications. The well-researched document brings into the light the wrongdoing some MEP clergy are doing, including concealing and hiding the truth about the abuse.

It indicates the lack of decisive action by MEP to address the child abuse and protect more children. Recently, the MEP commissioned a UK research group to make an investigation of the allegations of child abuse against some MEP priests in Asia. The research group is paid by MEP and not an independent research team. It looks as if the MEP is paying the fox to guard the chickens.

The article states, “Institutionally, the MEP is supervised by the Dicastery for Evangelization in Rome. Consequently, it is its pro-prefect, the Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, who has canonical responsibility. The cardinal is close to the MEP and has been personally informed of allegations coming from Asia.”

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle may not be the best man for the job of dealing with the child sexual abuse allegations against clergy because Cardinal Tagle has expressed his views through media stating that clerical child sexual abuse is a private, exclusive internal matter to the church. Pope Francis says they should be put on trial. I advise all readers to read the article from the Diplomat. It is posted on www.preda.org

Besides brave theologians, anthropologists, journalists, reporters, photographers, researchers, teachers, authors frequently risk their lives and reputations and careers. This is because of the retaliation by authorities who feel threatened by the exposure of the truth. The truth is a powerful force for good in society and evil-doers and enablers fear and loathe the honest researchers, writers, journalists and reporters. The vital role of the honest and respected newspapers, radio and television is to tell the truth.

There is today a frantic battle going on because the ever present social media that can influence people to the good or brainwash them with lies and deceptions. For the first time in human history, almost anybody with education and access to the internet can take on the role of an influencer. However, it is media that can be trusted that can have the most influence and they can sometimes help change the world.

The New York Times did so by investigating and publishing the Pentagon Papers revealed by Daniel Ellsberg, an analyst for Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara’s classified study of the war in Vietnam. The published papers helped end the war in Vietnam. The Washington Post’s revelations of the Watergate break-in to the democratic offices reported by journalist Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein led finally to the resignation of President Nixon. This is evidence of the power of the press as guardians of democracy and truth when not censored or does not censor itself.

This writer wrote in 1982 an expose and revealed in the WE Forum, a Manila newspaper, writing under a pen-name, a conspiracy by some authorities to cover up and hide the terrible and horrifying truth of a child sexual abuse ring operated by local traffickers selling children to US servicemen from the Subic Bay Naval station in Olongapo City. The abuse of many children infected with venereal disease led to a nationwide public outcry.

A US officer was put on trial in Guam for sexual abuse of Filipino children. It became an international media story. This writer that made that expose (and others) received death threats and was put on trial for the expose to be deported. The case was dismissed as baseless and fabricated. The court’s decision said that telling the truth is not a crime.

However, that led to this writer calling for an Philippine campaign to end the source of the women and child exploitation and abuse. That was the US military bases and this writer called for their closure and conversion to economic zones. This was a success. The series was named Life after the Bases.

After almost a hundred years, the US military presence was gone by a Senate vote. The last ship left in 1992. However, they are now back again in greater numbers, nine in fact, sheltering under the guise of Philippine bases.

Professors, teachers, writers and journalists can do great good by revealing the truth but they pay a heavy price for their work. Yet with courage they will continue to write and publish the truth and it will set us free to live in dignity.

www.preda.org