By Anne-Sophie HourdeauxPublished on
In 2016, he left France to live in Morocco and was there until 2019. Father Jean-Marc Gendron worked in several high schools in the North between 1986 and 2008. He passed through the parishes of Lille, Lesquin, and Vendeville. Even if he is deceased, the Diocese of Lille is continuing an investigation into him because seven people accuse him of committing sexual violence. If you have been a victim or witness, you can come forward.
A Change: The death of the alleged perpetrator does not stop the search for victims
The recognition of victim status in the Catholic Church, following the Sauvé report and the work of the Ciase (Independent Commission on Sexual Abuse in the Church), has changed the way victims of priests are viewed. Previously, the death of the said abusive priest would have ended the procedures. Not anymore.
This is evident in the case of Jean-Marc Gendron. He passed away in 2019. But several potential victims have come forward, so the Diocese of Lille continues its investigations and issues a call. The goal is to corroborate testimonies, encourage speaking out, and potentially enable financial compensation, depending on the cases.
In Vendeville from 2008 to 2016 before Morocco
His final mission in France took him to Lesquin and Vendeville between 2008 and 2016. Father Gendron moved to Marrakech, Morocco in 2016 to establish a community. It was there that he passed away from a heart attack.
He had been reported to the Diocese of Lille for sexual assaults involving Father Jean-Marc Gendron. That’s why the Diocese is calling for testimonies from anyone who may have been a victim or witness to reprehensible acts by the priest.
He worked in 4 high schools in the North
Jean-Marc Gendron was a supervisor at Marcq Institution high school until 1986, a philosophy teacher at Saint-Jacques high school in Hazebrouck (1986-1990) and then at Sainte-Thérèse d’Avila high school in Lille and Saint-Vincent-de-Paul high school in Loos (1990-2008). He was also a vicar at Notre-Dame de Pentecôte parish in Lille and priest of Vendeville and Lesquin from 2008 to 2016.
“Above all, we want to express our profound compassion and support to the victims and their families. We understand how difficult it can be to speak out and acknowledge the suffering such acts can cause,” said the Diocese of Lille.
In line with the decisions taken by the French Bishops’ Conference, after the submission of the Ciase report, it is essential to gather the testimonies of those who may have experienced or witnessed such acts in order to contribute to finding the truth. “Your voice will be welcomed with respect and discretion,” the Diocese added.
To date, seven presumed victims have come forward to the Diocese of Lille or the INIRR (National Independent Instance of Recognition and Reparation).
If you have been affected or have a testimony, you can contact the Diocese of Lille confidentially: [email protected], 06 85 07 30 96. You can also contact the INIRR: [email protected]
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