Uproar Over Promotion of French Priest Sentenced to Jail for Raping Teenage Boy
A French archbishop is facing harsh criticism after appointing a priest—previously jailed for raping a 16-year-old boy—to a senior church role, reigniting anger over how the Catholic Church handles sex abuse cases.
The priest, Dominique Spina, was sentenced to five years in prison in 2006 for sexually assaulting a teenage boy. Despite this, Archbishop Guy de Kerimel of Toulouse named him diocesan chancellor in June, a position responsible for managing church records.
This decision sparked outrage from both victim advocacy groups and traditionalist Catholics. Critics argue it goes against Church law, which requires a chancellor to have an “honest reputation” and be above any suspicion.
Kerimel defended his choice, saying it was based on “mercy” and claiming Spina posed no issue in a purely administrative role. However, backlash grew quickly. On Thursday, the archbishop acknowledged the confusion and concern among Catholics, but stood by his decision. He warned that without compassion, Spina could face “social death.” Still, he stressed that the Church was not trying to minimize the crime and said the victim must be acknowledged and supported.
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While Church leaders have largely avoided public comment, one unnamed bishop told AFP the appointment was “deeply shameful” and that no priest convicted of such serious crimes should ever be given a position of responsibility.
Multiple survivor groups condemned the move, calling it “deeply upsetting” and a betrayal of abuse victims. Catholic media also criticized the decision. La Croix, a respected Catholic newspaper, said mercy should not be used to justify such appointments. The conservative site Riposte Catholique called the promotion “unjustifiable” and urged the Vatican to step in. Another Christian outlet, Tribune Chrétienne, added that true compassion doesn’t mean giving offenders back positions of power.
This controversy comes as France’s Catholic Church is still under scrutiny for a series of sexual abuse scandals, including accusations against prominent figures like Abbe Pierre, a former champion of the poor who died in 2007. In response to the growing crisis, the Church has set up two commissions to acknowledge victims and explore compensation, following a 2021 report that revealed widespread abuse.
Uproar Over Promotion of French Priest Sentenced to Jail for Raping Teenage Boy
