Former Archbishop of Paris Michel Aupetit cleared of suspicions of sexual assault

Europe 1 with AFP // Photo credit: Zakaria ABDELKAFI / AFP 22:44 p.m., September 14, 2023

In the absence of offense, the Paris prosecutor's office has closed the procedure for sexual assault opened after a report against the former archbishop of Paris, Michel Aupetit, who will be able "henceforth" to continue his "pastoral mission" without "difficulty", according to his lawyer. The investigation was opened in December 2022 after a report from the diocese of Paris and the investigations entrusted to the Brigade for the repression of delinquency to persons (BRDP).

They concerned written exchanges between Mr. Aupetit and a parishioner subject to a judicial protection measure, whose apparent consent had to be confirmed. According to Jean Reinhart, Michel Aupetit's lawyer, there has "never been any ambiguity" or "inappropriate gestures" on his client's side. "Bishop Aupetit had approached the opening of this investigation with serenity because he was certain that it could only end in a dismissal. He can continue to act in his pastoral mission without there being any difficulty from now on," he told AFP.

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"No criminal offence"

The former archbishop of Paris was heard in free hearing on June 9 and "maintained never having had a sentimental or sexual relationship with the woman concerned," said Thursday the Paris prosecutor's office, requested by AFP. She told investigators she had a clear recollection of the situations mentioned. She considered that they did not constitute any criminal offence, she did not file a complaint, "according to the same source.

"Nothing being likely to be qualified criminally", the prosecutor's office has therefore closed the procedure without further action. Monsignor Aupetit, appointed head of the archdiocese of Paris in December 2017, had submitted his resignation at the end of November 2021 to Pope Francis, who had immediately accepted it, after several newspapers had lent him a romantic relationship with another woman, which he had categorically denied.

Known for his strict stances on the family

He was also highly contested for his management of human resources in the diocese. Entering the priesthood late - he was ordained at the age of 44 after practicing medicine for 11 years - Michel Aupetit, 72, served in various ministries as vicar, parish priest and chaplain to youth, before being appointed bishop. The archbishop, who had to manage the fire at Notre-Dame de Paris in 2019, is known for his strict positions on the family and bioethics: he notably supported "marches for life" hostile to the voluntary termination of pregnancy.

He also had trouble with the homosexual community in 2012 during the debates on "marriage for all". Still considered bishop (emeritus) by the Vatican, Monsignor Aupetit settled, after his resignation, in a former Toulouse abbey. According to his counsel, which stresses that "the pope has never withdrawn his trust", he "dedicates his pastoral mission" to associations helping the poor throughout France.