Parisian priest under investigation for alleged sexual assault of a minor

An 81-year-old priest in Paris has been placed under formal investigation for the repeated rape of a minor. The victim, now in their 40s, filed a complaint in June 2024, alleging sexual assaults and rapes occurring during scout camps and World Youth Day events in Paris starting from when they were 12 years old. The investigation, handled by the minor protection brigade, also covers alleged assaults that continued after the victim reached adulthood, lasting until 2015.

Four adult victims have reported similar incidents. While three of these reports date back to the period between 1979 and 1986 and are now legally expired, the current investigation focuses on non-expired allegations.

The Diocese of Paris has taken disciplinary measures, prohibiting the priest from exercising his ministry or having any contact with minors since October 30, 2024. The diocese had previously restricted the priest from working with minors between 2018 and 2020 following earlier reports. A judge has placed the priest under judicial control, including a ban on contacting individuals he may have known while they were minors.