FRANCE
La Croix International
November 1, 2018
By Gauthier Vaillant
A priest from the Diocese of Orléans on trial for sexually abusing young boys during a 1993 summer camp and a former bishop for his silence
“In my opinion, the Church must look reality in the face for the sake of its survival. And your trial must be a wake-up call.”
These were the final words of the prosecutor, Nicolas Bessone, in his closing speech on Oct. 30, in the court of Orléans, France.
He had demanded a warrant of arrest and an exemplary sentence of one year in prison for retired Bishop André Fort of Orléans, and a sentence of three years in prison, with six months suspended, as well as three years probation with compulsory care for Father Pierre de Castelet.
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