By the Grace of God

Alexandre Guérin recalls the sexual abuse he suffered at the hands of Father Bernard Preynat after speaking with a former scout comrade. Even though the facts are prescribed, the pain compels him to seek accountability rather than stay silent. He reaches out to Régine Maire, the archbishop's psychologist, to begin an investigation.

Through Régine Maire, Guérin obtains a meeting with Cardinal Philippe Barbarin, hoping the church will respond to the abuse and take responsibility. The encounter exposes the church's awareness and the complexities of addressing the scandal.

Régine Maire arranges a brief, staged confrontation between Guérin and Father Preynat. The encounter culminates in an almost surreal moment of shared prayer, underscoring the emotional fragility of both sides.

Ecclesiastical authorities postpone decisive action and backtrack, even as Preynat remains active within the church and continues to contact young people. Guérin watches the inertia grow while his sense of justice hardens.

Unable to secure other victims to testify, Guérin decides to file a complaint himself. He hopes legal action will uncover the truth, despite the prescription issue and resistance from the hierarchy.

Captain Courteau receives Guérin's statement and begins to seek victims whose cases are not time-barred. He meets François, now an atheist, whose willingness to testify broadens the scope of the investigation.

François goes public with his testimony and helps establish the association La Parole Libérée. More victims join the movement, including the surgeon Gilles and Emmanuel, strengthening the push for accountability.

Guérin aligns with the other victims and the association, pooling their testimonies to pursue a formal legal action. The campaign gains visibility as more victims come forward.

Under pressure from Régine Maire and the growing movement, Cardinal Barbarin agrees to a public press conference. He publicly pressures the issue, but his remarks frame the case in a controversial light.

At the press conference, Barbarin blunders by stating that the facts are 'prescribed', a line that shocks the audience and galvanizes public scrutiny. The statement jeopardizes the church's credibility and energizes the plaintiffs' case.

Following the pressure, Preynat admits the facts and the plaintiffs secure an indictment against him. The legal action marks a turning point, validating the victims' testimonies.

The plaintiffs confront not only the clerical hierarchy but also the impact on their families and themselves. Guérin, in particular, grapples with a shaken faith and questions his Christian beliefs in light of the church's failures.