Bétharram Affair: A Complaint Filed for Rape in an Institution Managed by the Congregation in Morocco

A 76-year-old man from Saône-et-Loire has taken legal action in France against a member of the Bétharram congregation, who was a teacher in Casablanca during the 1960s. The complaint was filed in March and has recently gained attention following reports from ICI Béarn Bigorre. The man alleges that he was raped by Father Salla, a Spanish teacher at the Charles de Foucault College in Casablanca, after a game of pelote basque in 1964. This shocking revelation comes as part of a broader investigation into sexual violence within the congregation, which has seen multiple allegations surface in recent years. The accuser's memories were triggered by the testimonies of other former students who have come forward with their own experiences of abuse at the hands of religious figures associated with the Notre-Dame de Bétharram institution. This case marks the first time that allegations have been made against a member of the Bétharram congregation for incidents occurring in Morocco. The accused, who passed away in 2024, had spent most of his life abroad, returning to Bétharram for his final years. Jean-Pierre Massias, president of the independent inquiry commission on sexual and physical violence at Notre-Dame de Bétharram, confirmed the significance of this complaint. He noted that statistically, such acts of violence are rarely isolated incidents, suggesting that there may be more victims who have yet to come forward. The inquiry has also revealed that other priests from the Bétharram congregation are facing similar accusations in Côte d'Ivoire, where several individuals have reported sexual assaults dating back to the 1970s and 1990s. As the investigation unfolds, the implications of these allegations extend beyond individual cases, raising questions about the systemic issues within religious institutions and their handling of abuse claims. The Bétharram congregation, which has a long history, now faces scrutiny as more victims may feel empowered to share their stories. The societal response to these revelations will likely influence how similar cases are treated in the future, emphasizing the need for accountability and justice for survivors of abuse.