One of the alleged victims had told his story to the local press on October 22, 2021. This former European scout from Reims (Marne) had accused his chaplain at the time of sexual assault.
The facts had been prescribed concerning him but other potential victims had come forward by bringing to light more recent attacks, reports
L'Union
.
The priest in question was indicted on April 22 for attempted rape of a seminarian student following an investigation by the territorial directorate of the Reims judicial police.
The latter explained that he had been the victim of it during a trip ten years ago.
Cancellation of judicial review
The respondent had been placed under judicial control with a ban on practicing priesthood, having contact with the victim and minors.
He was, moreover, subject to an obligation of care and not to leave the national territory.
However, according to the regional daily, the priest's lawyer obtained the cancellation of this judicial review on June 9th.
The investigative chamber having considered that there is "no serious and concordant indication suggesting that the priest had committed an attempted rape".
However, the accused is still indicted.
Justice
Reims: A high school teacher indicted for sexual assault and corruption of minors
World
Child crime in the Church: More than 600 victims in a diocese in western Germany
Reims
Great East
Miscellaneous facts
Rape
sexual assault
child crime