French Catholic Church victim reparation transition

The Catholic Church in France is transitioning its institutional mechanism for addressing sexual abuse victims. The National Independent Instance for Reparation and Redress (Inirr), which has operated since 2021 and processed nearly 2,000 requests, concluded its mandate on August 31, 2026.

On September 1, 2026, the French Catholic Episcopate launched a new permanent institution named the National Independent Instance for Accompanying Victims in the Church (Iniave). While the previous Inirr structure focused on restorative justice and financial compensation of up to 60,000 euros, Iniave aims to utilize a coordinated network of support persons, develop ethical codes, and establish training for caregivers.

The transition has been met with scrutiny. Victim advocacy groups expressed concerns regarding the new arrangement, describing it as a ‘catastrophe’ and an ‘empty shell’ due to potential losses in independence. Iniave is led by retired judge Sophie Darbois and is funded through mandatory contributions from French dioceses, which the Episcopate states will be subject to regular financial audits.