He is one of the eleven bishops implicated on Monday in cases of sexual violence. In a letter, read to the conference of bishops of France, Cardinal Jean-Pierre Ricard, archbishop of Bordeaux from 2001 to 2019, admitted “reprehensible conduct” on a 14-year-old girl.
“Today when the Church in France has decided to listen to the victims and act in truth, I have decided to no longer keep my situation silent and to put myself at the disposal of justice, both in terms of society than that of the Church,” he wrote in this letter read by Eric de Moulins-Beaufort during a press conference at the Conference of Bishops in Lourdes. “This approach is difficult but what is first is the suffering experienced by the victims and the recognition of the acts committed. »
“Serious and lasting consequences” for the victim
Now 78 years old, Cardinal Jean-Pierre Ricard explains in this letter that 35 years ago, when he was parish priest, he “behaved in a reprehensible way with a 14-year-old girl”. . “My behavior necessarily caused serious and lasting consequences for this person. I explained it to her and asked her forgiveness. I renew here my request for forgiveness as well as to all his family. Finally, I apologize to those I have hurt and who will experience this news as a real ordeal. »
In a press release, the new bishop of Bordeaux, Jean-Paul James, says “to express [sa] great compassion to the victim concerned. “I share the pain of all those, in particular in the diocese of Bordeaux, who will be hurt by these revelations. I am thinking especially of those who have been victims of priests and religious here in Gironde. “He “renews” his invitation to people who could have been victims of reprehensible acts in Gironde “to let the diocesan watch team know”.