Archbishop Eric de Moulins-Beaufort announced at a conference yesterday that 11 clergy were accused of sexual harassment, including Cardinal Jean-Pierre Ricard’s confession statement. In the statement, he stated that 6 bishops, with the exception of Cardinal Ricard and Creteil Bishop Michel Santier, were accused of sexual harassment by the Church or the judiciary. In addition to these religious officials, it was emphasized that 2 former bishops are under investigation and one religious official was reported to the prosecutor’s office with similar charges.
CONFIRMED SEXUAL HARASSMENT
At the press conference where Cardinal Jean-Pierre Ricard’s statement was also read, the following words of Ricard were included;
“Thirty-five years ago, when I was a church priest, I committed reprehensible behavior towards a 14-year-old girl. My behavior has inevitably had grave and lasting consequences for this person… Here I renew my request for forgiveness and ask forgiveness from his entire family.”
DHA