Preynat has admitted to abusing boys in the 1970s and 1980s, and told the court Monday, “I have heard the suffering of these people, which I’m guilty of causing. I hope that this trial can unfold as quickly as possible.”The trial briefly opened Monday but was quickly delayed because of a lawyers’ strike.Preynat, now 74, is charged with sexual assault of 10 minors between 1986 and 1991. He faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
He wrote a letter that year to the parents of a victim who wanted him to leave the Scout association he led, reading: “I swear to you that since the start of the school year in September, absolutely nothing has happened between me and the children. Everything that happened has shaken me up a lot and made me think. I am not trying to justify myself since I am wrong. Let me finish the year normally.
In 2014, the priest was overtaken by his past. Alexandre Hezez, who said he had been abused as a child by Preynat, went public as an adult and asked church hierarchy why he was still in office. Other victims came forward too, one by one.It wasn’t until last year that the French Catholic Church found Preynat guilty of abuse and removed him from the priesthood.
That decision came after French Cardinal Philippe Barbarin was convicted in March of covering up for Preynat’s actions. Barbarin tried to resign, but Pope Francis refused to accept it until the appeals process is complete. An appeals court ruling is expected Jan. 30.
Source: Law Daily Report (lawdailyreport.net)
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