Information that leaves room for doubt. Were the actions of Father Louis Ribes, suspected of sexual assault on minors, known to his close entourage? The diocese of Lyon reveals, this Thursday, that sketches of children, made by the priest, were found when he died in 1994. They were in the apartment he occupied at the seminary for seniors in Vienne-Estressin. There were also photos featuring his little naked victims. But these pieces were destroyed, “burned by a priest and a lay person”, indicates the diocese, adding to have been informed of this, on January 28.
Out of respect for the victims, the religious authorities also had a book devoted to artist priests, which contained works by Louis Ribes, withdrawn from sales. It was published in September 2020.
To date, 48 victims of the deceased priest have made themselves known to the dioceses of Lyon, Grenoble and Saint-Etienne, after the call for witnesses launched in this regard. 19 live in Lyon. A collective of victims of Louis Ribes has emerged and also organizes meetings. He can be contacted at the address: [email protected].