Lille Archbishop apologizes to victims of former priest Jacques Delfosse

The Archbishop of Lille, Laurent Le Boulc’h, has issued a formal apology on behalf of the Church to victims of former priest Jacques Delfosse. Delfosse is accused of dozens of rapes involving minors during his service in the Nord and Val-de-Marne regions between 1964 and 2000.

Following a meeting with four presumed victims, the Archbishop denounced the “silence in the Church” and acknowledged institutional failures regarding the priest’s repeated transfers. The Lille prosecutor's office has opened a judicial investigation into the allegations. Victims are being encouraged to come forward and file complaints, with the Archbishop offering to support requests for victims to meet with the Pope at the Vatican.