Scarcella had been reprimanded by the Vatican following allegations of harassment, but was allowed to resume leadership of the traditional monastery last Sunday.
"Cultural change definitely looks different! This is no way to build trust!" said a joint statement issued on Thursday by the three organisations concerned, IG-MikU (German-speaking Switzerland), SAPEC (French-speaking Switzerland) and GAVA (Ticino).
Scarcella's return is hurtful for those affected by abuse and a setback for all those church members who are sincerely working towards such a cultural change in dealing with sexual abuse.
The victims' associations emphasised that the Office of the Attorney General of the Canton of Valais had expressly ordered the closure of various proceedings relating to Saint-Maurice Abbey in 2024 due to the statute of limitations, "not because the allegations were unfounded".
It is therefore inexplicable that Scarcella interpreted the closure of the investigations against him as recognition of his moral innocence.
"Abbot Scarcella could have sent a message of trust by not resuming his office."
Scarcella demonstrates composure
The 73-year-old had expressed relief after the announcement of the Vatican bishops' dicastery's decision: "I accept the Holy See's confidence in granting me permission to resume my office as abbot with composure," "Vatican News" quoted the cleric as saying this week.
The Swiss Bishops' Conference, to which Scarcella now belongs again as territorial abbot, responded with a brief statement on Wednesday.
It said it had "taken note" of the Vatican's decision.
After allegations of sexual harassment against Scarcella came to light in September 2023, he temporarily resigned.
Last October, the Vatican reprimanded the abbot of the Augustinian canons for inappropriate behaviour towards a young man.
At the same time, however, the responsible bishop's dicastery declared that there was "no evidence of abuse or harassment in the strict sense".
The friar was accused of having behaved in an abusive manner towards a young man.