Ex-Member of Community Saint Jean Given Six-Month Suspended Sentence
He was found guilty and sentenced to six months’ imprisonment, fully suspended.
The case concerns acts alleged to have occurred in July 2014 in London during a language trip. The priest was accompanying two young men, brothers of each other, both over 15, who regarded him as a mentor.
According to the investigation, one adolescent reported that the priest washed his back and feet in a shared shower and then asked him to wash the priest’s genitals, while the second brother described different but comparable inappropriate acts.
The victims stated that their mother had known the priest since before their birth, reinforcing the relationship of trust.
Following a complaint by one of the brothers, French authorities opened a criminal investigation. A search of the priest’s residence in the Orne département uncovered over 100 child sexual abuse images on a computer.
The defendant denied sexual intent, said his actions were misinterpreted, and claimed the computer was possibly accessed by others. He acknowledged a past pornography addiction involving homosexual adult websites and said he was unaware some material was illegal.
The Catholic Church also conducted a canonical inquiry. The Officialité de Paris opened an investigation on 18 September 2023 and concluded on 21 February 2024 that the acts were contrary to the Sixth Commandment (contra sextum) and fully attributable to the priest. A penal precept was issued.
The former member of the Community of Saint John had worked in England, France and Switzerland.
The Diocese of Séez stated that he has no pastoral responsibilities and was suspended from all public ministry at the time of the proceedings.
A court-ordered psychological assessment excused the evildoing with sexual immaturity and a narcissistic personality disorder.
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