A scandal involving a French Catholic school: the institution to be closed after a report concludes a former prime minister “failed to act” in abuse cases
This news coverage addresses measures related to a prominent Catholic school in France, where plans were announced to close it following the release of a report by parliamentarians indicating inaction by a former official in dealing with abuse cases. The case concerns the Notre-Dame de Bétharram school, where Hélène Perlant, the daughter of former French Prime Minister François Bayrou, said she was beaten while attending the school.
In early July 2025, French parliamentarians issued a report addressing the spotlight on sexual abuse of students at the Notre-Dame de Bétharram school. The report pointed to the former prime minister Bayrou’s “failure to act” while the abuses were taking place.
At the time the violations were committed, François Bayrou—who later became prime minister—was serving as Minister of Education and president of the General Council of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department, where the school is located. He had been informed of the incident, and his wife was teaching theology at the institution, while Perlant reported that she herself was subjected to physical assault.
Guérin said in an interview with RTL radio: “Bétharram will be closed. This institution tarnishes the reputation of Catholic education. This will be done next summer.”
In 2024, the public was informed of crimes dating back to the 1950s, after law enforcement authorities opened investigations in response to receiving hundreds of complaints from victims.
An investigation is currently underway into crimes committed at the school during the 1970s and 1990s. More than 200 complaints have been filed by former students of Notre-Dame de Bétharram who suffered mistreatment over the years, alleging they were subjected to physical or sexual abuse by 14 priests.
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