Kirchenakte Documented events from judgments, reports and church documents
1958-2020 · 62 years · show in timeline

France 1958 to 2020: Independent inquiry for the Focolare Movement documents 26 victims of a consecrated member and systemic failure up to the leadership in Rome

The Focolare Movement commissioned the British firm GCPS Consulting to investigate abuse by a former consecrated member in France; the report calls him only JMM. It received testimony from 26 victims, and eleven more were reported through third parties. The inquiry calls JMM a serial abuser. Levels of leadership up to Rome knew that something was wrong; in 1998 the Centre authorised payment of his compensation to a victim. The inquiry finds systemic failure.

Period
1958-2020 (62 years)
Report published
30 March 2022
Country
France
Institutions
Focolare Movement
Category
Sexual abuse, Cover-up
Level of evidence
A Primary source · what does this mean?

What happened to the people

Who was affected? Victims and numbers

  1. The inquiry received testimony from 26 victims, directly or through documented third parties; a further eleven were suspected and reported without confirming contact. It concludes that JMM was a serial abuser, responsible for many cases of child sexual abuse and most likely more.
    Evidence: GCPS Consulting, im Auftrag der Fokolar-Bewegung, Summary, Stories about abuses
    „The Inquiry team received testimony from 26 victims of JMM“
    JMM Inquiry Report, Summary, Summary, Stories about abuses. Original
    Evidence: GCPS Consulting, im Auftrag der Fokolar-Bewegung, Summary, Conclusion zu Allegation A
    „the Independent Inquiry concludes JMM was a prolific, serial child abuser“
    JMM Inquiry Report, Summary, Summary, Conclusion zu Allegation A. Original
  2. According to the report, all reported abuse took place under a "psychological hold". JMM groomed not only the children but also their parents and members of the Movement. He was seen as a close friend of the founder Chiara Lubich and in some cases linked his behaviour to spirituality, praying for forgiveness after the abuse.
    Evidence: GCPS Consulting, im Auftrag der Fokolar-Bewegung, Summary, Psychological hold
    „JMM did not only groom the children but also their parents as well as members of the Movement at large.“
    JMM Inquiry Report, Summary, Summary, Psychological hold. Original
    Evidence: GCPS Consulting, im Auftrag der Fokolar-Bewegung, Summary, Psychological hold
    „praying for forgiveness after the abuse took place“
    JMM Inquiry Report, Summary, Summary, Psychological hold. Original

What happened to those affected?

  1. The inquiry finds systemic failure: a chain of people in charge in France and Rome failed to act for many years. As a cause it names the pyramidal structure and the mantra of obedience and unity, also in other cases. It recommends a public apology and an independent compensation mechanism.
    Evidence: GCPS Consulting, im Auftrag der Fokolar-Bewegung, Summary, Conclusion zu Allegation B
    „The Independent Inquiry finds systemic failures in the handling of the JMM case“
    JMM Inquiry Report, Summary, Summary, Conclusion zu Allegation B. Original
    Evidence: GCPS Consulting, im Auftrag der Fokolar-Bewegung, Summary, Allegation B
    „The pyramidal structure of the Movement, its mantra of obedience and unity has certainly contributed to the systemic failure“
    JMM Inquiry Report, Summary, Summary, Allegation B. Original
    Evidence: GCPS Consulting, im Auftrag der Fokolar-Bewegung, Summary, Recommendations
    „It is recommended the compensation mechanism is independent of Focolare“
    JMM Inquiry Report, Summary, Summary, Recommendations. Original

Background

Response of the Church

  1. According to the report, several layers up to the highest governing level knew that something was wrong with JMM. After court proceedings in 1994/95 ended in dismissal, those responsible took no further action. In 1998 JMM had to pay compensation to a victim, and the Centre of the Movement authorised the payment. According to the report, later leaders failed to act out of mistaken beliefs or fear for the reputation.
    Evidence: GCPS Consulting, im Auftrag der Fokolar-Bewegung, Summary, Allegation B
    „Many layers of people including at the highest governing level1 were informed about the fact that ‘something was wrong’ with JMM“
    JMM Inquiry Report, Summary, Summary, Allegation B. Original
    Evidence: GCPS Consulting, im Auftrag der Fokolar-Bewegung, Summary, Allegation B
    „Leadership at the Centre authorised this payment in 1998“
    JMM Inquiry Report, Summary, Summary, Allegation B. Original
    Evidence: GCPS Consulting, im Auftrag der Fokolar-Bewegung, Summary, Allegation B
    „self-preservation and an avoidance of reputational damage“
    JMM Inquiry Report, Summary, Summary, Allegation B. Original

Original documents to read

  1. Commission report
    GCPS Consulting, im Auftrag der Fokolar-Bewegung: JMM Inquiry Report, Summary, 31 March 2022. Original (retrieved 31 Oct 2026)
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Last changed on 31 October 2026. Is something missing or wrong? Suggest an addition or correction.