Ex-priest Convicted for Sex Abuse on French Girls

ABC News
March 18, 2014

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/priest-convicted-sex-abuse-french-girls-22959274

A court in southwestern France has convicted a former Roman Catholic priest for sexual abuse against two sisters while they were minors between 1994 and 1998, one of the first cases of its kind in years in France.

Officials said the court in Angouleme on Tuesday sentenced 56-year-old Patrick Braud to a two-year suspended prison sentence, ordered him to undergo treatment, and pay fines and other fees to the sisters over last month's trial.

The court rejected part of the case brought by another woman, and rejected a prosecutor's request for Braud to be locked up. Defense lawyers said Braud was deciding whether to appeal. He remains a priest if not serving actively.

Such cases are rare in France compared to countries like Ireland or the United States.