Paris Sacré-Cœur nuns endured 40 years of systematic abuse

Shocking report reveals decades of terror at iconic Paris basilica

A devastating investigation has exposed systematic abuse spanning four decades at the Benedictine convent of Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre in Paris, where nuns endured what investigators describe as a "terror regime" under their prioress general, Mother Marie-Agnès. The report, commissioned by the congregation and led by former army corps general Hervé Giaume, reveals a climate of control, humiliation, and physical violence that persisted from 1969 until the mother superior's death in 2016.

A system of psychological terror

The investigation, based on 159 interviews with current and former nuns, paints a harrowing picture of life behind the walls of one of Paris's most iconic religious sites. 'If any of you disagree with me, then she can jump out the window,' Mother Marie-Agnès reportedly told her nuns according to witness testimony. The report describes a "perverse-narcissistic structure" where psychological manipulation was routine.

Nuns were subjected to constant surveillance, with their mail opened and rooms searched regularly. 'The post was handed over already opened. After that I became suspicious,' one nun testified. The mother superior allegedly encouraged sisters to inform on each other, creating an atmosphere of mutual suspicion and fear.

Physical abuse and medical neglect

The abuse extended to physical mistreatment, particularly around food and weight control. Nuns were forced to gain weight to resemble Mother Marie-Agnès, with force-feeding leading to vomiting. They were regularly weighed but forbidden from knowing their own weight. 'It was a sign of vocation when one gained weight,' they were told.

Medical care was systematically denied. 'Toothache goes away with a rosary,' one witness recounted in the report. Basic hygiene products were difficult to obtain, and medication was used punitively against those who resisted. Nuns were administered drugs without knowing what they were taking.

Financial exploitation and isolation

The investigation uncovered significant financial exploitation. Bank accounts and savings books of new recruits were emptied, and inheritances were seized. According to France 24, over 857,000 euros were stolen from nuns' accounts and the congregation, with funds used for luxurious holidays on the French Riviera and expensive meals.

Nuns were systematically isolated from the outside world. Contact with family was discouraged, with one nun told: 'If you have back pain, it's because you see your family too often.' The report details how the mother superior and two aides created what investigators called a "police state" within the convent.

Historical context and institutional failure

The Sacré-Cœur Basilica, completed in 1914 and consecrated in 1919, is Paris's second most visited tourist site after the Eiffel Tower, attracting millions of visitors annually to its hilltop location in Montmartre. The basilica has maintained perpetual adoration of the Holy Eucharist since 1885 and is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Despite two apostolic visits in 2004 and 2011-2012, neither Roman nor diocesan authorities imposed sanctions on the congregation. The Paris diocese has acknowledged failing in its duty of vigilance over many years. This case follows other recent abuse allegations against French religious figures, including charity icon Abbe Pierre.

The congregation has committed to implementing 58 recommendations from the report, including official recognition of abuses, healthcare support for victims, and structural reforms. A general chapter in October 2026 will coordinate these changes with ecclesiastical authorities.