Europe 1 with AFP 5:01 p.m., October 12, 2021
After having received, as Minister of Worship, the President of the Conference of Bishops of France, Gérald Darmanin affirmed that priests should not oppose the secrecy of confession to facts relating to pedocriminality.
Bishop Eric de Moulins-Beaufort insisted on the "absolute priority" of the protection of children.
Gérald Darmanin said Tuesday that priests having knowledge of "crimes" against "children under 15", should "bring" these facts of pedocriminality "to justice" and not oppose the secrecy of confession.
The Minister of the Interior was speaking to the National Assembly just after having received, as Minister of Religion, the president of the Conference of Bishops of France, Mgr Éric de Moulins-Beaufort.
Bishop Éric de Moulins-Beaufort's response
The latter had judged that the secrecy of the confession was "stronger than the laws of the Republic" and therefore could not be broken.
On Tuesday, he said the protection of children was a "top priority".
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