Parish priest suspended over sexual assault charges

2023-04-16 21:59:48

The priest of the parish of Saint-Germain de Pantin (Seine-Saint-Denis), was suspended from office, under the influence of a canonical investigation, for accusations of sexual assault on young adult women between 1993 and 2002, according to the diocese of Paris.

The Paris prosecutor’s office was seized. In a press release, the diocese of Paris mentioned “a report made by the diocese of Paris in application of the protocol concluded with the Paris prosecutor’s office and in agreement with the bishop of Saint-Denis”, it is written, confirming information from Journal The cross.

Four complainants

The diocese of Paris has thus “taken the decision to make public the following canonical conservatory measures, taken with regard to Father Jacques Gagey: removal from the post of parish priest of Pantin, withdrawal of the faculties of confession, prohibition of preside over the Eucharist in public, obligation to reside in the diocese of Paris in the accommodation provided by the diocese, prohibition to enter into contact with an alleged victim and more generally with persons likely to testify in this cause and judgment of any Scouting-related activity.

“These measures follow the opening of a canonical investigation into facts that may concern young adult women at the time of the facts between 1993 and 2002”, it is specified.

According to information from The cross, four complainants accuse the man of sexual assault. They would have reported themselves to the judicial authorities and to the Church.

General Chaplain for the Scouts and Guides of France

“Aware of the legitimate emotion of all the persons concerned, in particular those who spontaneously expressed themselves to the diocese of Paris, the diocese wishes to recall the need to respect the presumption of innocence as long as the alleged facts do not constitute the subject of a definitive condemnation by the French criminal justice”, adds the diocese.

In another press release, Scouts and Guides of Francewhose Father Jacques Gagey was “Chaplain General from 2007 to 2013”, invited its “members, former or current, to bring to their attention or to those of the authorities any relevant information on this subject”, even if “the facts reproached are outside the scope of scouting”.