Notre-Dame de Bétharram, a Catholic institution, is embroiled in a serious scandal involving nearly 120 allegations of physical and sexual abuse from 1970 to 1990. Former students recount traumatic experiences of violence and a pervasive culture of silence. The situation has political ramifications, particularly for Prime Minister François Bayrou, who is accused of ignoring prior warnings about the abuses. Despite ongoing investigations, many cases may be hindered by the statute of limitations, leaving victims without full justice.
Unveil the Darkness: The Notre-Dame de Bétharram Scandal
Located between Lourdes and Pau, the Catholic institution Notre-Dame de Bétharram is currently engulfed in a significant judicial scandal. Reports indicate that nearly 120 complaints have been lodged concerning acts of physical violence, sexual assaults, and rapes that took place between 1970 and 1990. Heartbreaking accounts from former students paint a disturbing picture of a culture of fear and silence that permeated this institution, while a political uproar unfolds around Prime Minister François Bayrou.
Chilling Accounts from Former Students
Pascal, a former resident of Bétharram, shared a harrowing narrative of the systematic abuses that occurred within the boarding school during an interview with RTL. He stated, “It’s not just sexual assaults; it’s also physical assaults. There was a complete omerta.” According to Pascal, fear ruled the institution, and certain areas, particularly the ‘autonomous’ boarding house, were deemed ‘very dangerous’ for students both physically and sexually. He recalls a supervisor who had unchecked power in this environment, saying, “The supervisor did what he wanted in there. It was like his personal buffet. No one dared to speak out for fear of becoming one of his victims.”
Other former students have also recounted their traumatic experiences. Olivier, now 53, vividly remembers the repeated assaults he endured starting at age 11: “He would sit me on his lap, and I could feel his genitals. Then he would kiss me. I can still picture his mustache and foul breath. It was a moment I thought I just had to get through.” Eric, 55, shared the harrowing ordeal of being raped by a priest for three years, confessing, “Whenever I saw his lamp approaching down the hallway, I only hoped it wouldn’t be my turn this time.” The emotional scars from these experiences remain deeply ingrained within them.
Beyond the sexual abuses, the institution was notorious for its corporal punishments and humiliations. One of the most dreaded forms of punishment involved children being forced to remain outside all night in pajamas during the cold, before ringing the bells at 7 a.m. Thierry, another victim, reflected on how the sound of bells still triggers painful memories, stating, “I am allergic to bells today. They remind me of too many bad experiences.”
The scandal took on a political dimension when allegations surfaced that François Bayrou had been made aware of the abuses yet failed to act. Several of Bayrou’s children attended Bétharram, and his wife taught catechism there. However, during a session in the National Assembly, he asserted, “I was never informed of any violence or, even more so, sexual violence.” This statement has been challenged by witnesses. Françoise Gullung, a mathematics teacher at Bétharram from 1994 to 1996, claimed she spoke directly with Bayrou about the troubling situation, emphasizing the need for vigilance due to the abnormal occurrences.
Additionally, a judge who investigated a rape case in 1998 reported that Bayrou sought a meeting with him, expressing concern over accusations against Father Carricart, the institution’s director. Now named ‘Beau Rameau’, the establishment continues to operate, currently attending to nearly 500 students. In February 2024, a supervisor who had been in position for forty years was suspended following multiple complaints. Although dozens of allegations have been filed, many may be barred from prosecution due to the statute of limitations, leaving the silence surrounding Bétharram only partially broken.