The Nantes judicial authorities are currently verifying numerous reports of sexual abuse following a witness appeal launched by the Diocese in 2025. Among the allegations are eight priests whose offenses date back from the 1950s to the 1990s, all of whom have since passed away. Despite the significant number of testimonies received, the judicial investigations into these claims remain limited.

As of February 16, the Nantes prosecutor's office announced that 81 of the 102 reported cases of sexual abuse in the Catholic educational system of Loire-Atlantique would not be pursued due to the expiration of the statutes of limitations on these crimes. The overwhelming majority, specifically 81 reports, are linked to incidents associated with the Saint-Stanislas school group in Nantes, raising concerns about the historical accountability within the church. Of the remaining 21 cases, 15 occurred in other educational institutions within the department, while six took place outside Loire-Atlantique.

This situation highlights both a troubling legacy of past abuses within the church’s educational system and the challenges faced by authorities in addressing these historical grievances, especially when many alleged perpetrators are no longer alive to face justice. The significant number of time-barred cases calls into question the effectiveness of current legal frameworks in handling such sensitive and impactful accusations, raising public demand for reform in the handling of historical sexual abuse claims.