BOLZANO (ITALY)
La Croix International [Montrouge Cedex, France]
January 28, 2025
By Ludovica Eugenio
Bishop Ivo Muser of Bolzano-Bressanone publicly apologized for mishandling priests accused of abuse during his tenure. His apology came after the publication of a groundbreaking report on sexual violence committed in his northern Italian diocese, notes Ludovica Eugenio, editor of the Italian weekly Adista.
La Croix: An investigation in northern Italy by an independent firm uncovered around 60 cases of sexual assault committed by priests since 1964. What makes this report groundbreaking?
Ludovica Eugenio: This report is unprecedented for several reasons. First, the investigation was entrusted to an independent firm, and the bishop granted them access to all available diocesan archives—something the Italian Bishops’ Conference (CEI) has never requested dioceses to do. Until now, the CEI has refused to establish an independent commission to investigate the systemic causes of abuse.
Additionally, this report prioritizes listening to victims, treating them as partners, and respecting their legitimate right to the truth. Its title, The Courage to Look: Illuminate, Process, Protect, is significant.
In contrast, the study on sexual abuse of minors and vulnerable persons announced in 2022 by CEI President Cardinal Matteo Zuppi focused on the last 20 years and was framed under the motto: “protect, prevent, train.” The starting point is entirely different. The Bolzano report begins by illuminating the facts, then moves on to finding the best ways to protect individuals.
Further reading: With a new leader, will Italy’s bishops finally investigate abuse?
Finally, this report recognizes for the first time that these abuses are not isolated incidents but part of a systemic problem. It emphasizes that the reported cases—41 priests implicated in around 60 instances of sexual assault, involving nearly 75 victims since 1964—represent only the tip of the iceberg. It calls for further investigations, including through a testimony-gathering initiative starting in February 2024.
Was this investigation initiated by the Bishop of Bolzano-Bressanone?
Officially, yes. However, it’s also the result of years of advocacy by a determined group of laypeople. They faced resistance because the initial instinct was to protect the institution. But this diocese benefited from a unique context.
The South Tyrol region, with its German-speaking minority, is culturally closer to Germany. Since the early 2010s, it has drawn lessons from scandals in the German Church. In 2010, this diocese became the first in Italy to establish a listening center for victims of clerical sexual violence—about ten years ahead of most other Italian dioceses.
We often hear that Italy has been spared from the scourge of abuse. Is that true?
Absolutely not. People here continue to claim, without any basis, that Italy doesn’t have this problem. But it’s wrong to think the country is immune. In reality, there’s widespread fear among the hierarchy—especially of uncovering shocking statistics if the lid is lifted. Consider this: Italy has twice as many priests as France, so if we follow the proportions of the Sauvé Report…
Further reading: 2024, a year in the global history of the abuse crisis
There’s still significant resistance because the connection to the parish remains strong in Italy. In villages, the priest is not only a religious and spiritual authority but also a central social figure. His authority and credibility are rarely questioned, if ever. Italy’s strong Catholic cultural heritage fosters a kind of co-clericalism.
In other countries, the media played a major role in exposing scandals. Is the Italian secular press also trapped by this mentality?
Yes. A recent example: In February 2024, two victims of Marko Rupnik shared their stories at a press conference in Rome. About 70 journalists attended, but only five or six were Italian; the rest were foreign reporters.
Because of Italy’s strong Catholic cultural legacy, laypeople of all backgrounds still place blind trust in the Church as an institution and are reluctant to expose what should be exposed. Sometimes a story breaks, but it’s more about sensationalism that sells than a genuine effort to uncover the truth.
What about the victims? Are they speaking out?
Very few do. And when they do, they’re rarely believed. Accusing a priest of abuse is still seen as risking backlash. There is one victim advocacy group in Italy, Rete l’Abuso, whose president, Francesco Zanardi—a survivor of childhood sexual abuse—has been collecting cases addressed by civil courts in a database for 15 years. However, the Italian Bishops’ Conference has never sought to collaborate with him.
The church as an institution still fears facing victims, treating them almost as a threat to be defended against. Last year, the CEI created a victims’ observatory to organize a prayer day for them, but carefully selected its participants.
As for compensation, the topic is completely taboo. Some victims have been compensated, but only on the condition that they don’t publicly disclose the abuse.
The report on Bolzano diocese, released January 20, was presented as the first independent study on abuse in the Italian Church. Could this mark the beginning of a broader reckoning in Italy?
There are some signs that things are beginning to change. Recently, a priest from a small Sicilian town was convicted in the first instance by the Italian courts for sexual violence against a young man now in his thirties. This case inspired a podcast, The Confession, based on trial documents, including recordings of phone conversations where the bishop admitted to covering up the abuse.
The podcast attracted nearly 500,000 listeners, which is huge for Italy. In this case, the bishop was recently indicted for perjury—a first for a bishop in an abuse case in Italy.
When Pope Francis received a delegation from this diocese in November 2023, he expressed support for the bishop, which later sparked grassroots backlash. About 200 parishioners boycotted a celebration led by the bishop, demanding his resignation.
Things are moving very slowly, but from the ground up. A network, ItalyChurchToo, was established in 2022, bringing together associations, journalists, and individuals to break the silence and advocate for an independent inquiry commission.