The bishop of La Rochelle indicted for attempted rape, the Church reacts

Mgr Georges Colomb is accused of of attempted rape on a man in his forties at the time of the events, which dates back to 2013.

Bishop of La Rochelle, Mgr Georges Colomb was indicted on Friday November 17, 2023 for attempted rape, revealed this Monday the Paris prosecutor's office, which thus confirms the information from Mediapart. The one who is accused for having attempted to rape an elderly man aged 40 at the time of the facts, which allegedly took place in 2013, had requested his withdrawal in June 2023, after the revelation of the accusations against him in the press. He was also placed under judicial control this Monday. Mgr Georges Colomb is now prohibited from entering into contact with the victim as well as with the witnesses. He is also prohibited from appearing in certain places.

The Conference of Bishops of France reacted immediately on Monday, November 20, by publishing a press release. in which she reaffirms "her confidence in justice". The Conferences of Bishops of France also expresses “its concern for the person concerned, and recalls the presumption of innocence at all times.” to which Mgr Georges Colomb has a legitimate right. Then speaking to "those who will be troubled or hurt" by this news, "particularly within the diocese of La Rochelle and among the friends of the Foreign Missions of Paris, the Conference of Bishops expresses its closeness".

Mgr Georges Colomb denounces "slanderous allegations"

À at the origin of the investigation by the Paris public prosecutor's office, a report which had been made carried out by the Paris Foreign Missions (MEP), of which Mgr Georges Colomb was the superior general between 2010 and 2016. On June 13, 2023, the principal concerned had reacted strongly to the accusations against him, expressing "his amazement and his incomprehension in the face of what was happening to him. “these slanderous allegations and vigorously deny[ing] them”, before asking the Pope for his withdrawal during the investigation, “while remaining Bishop of La Rochelle” in order to "be able to prepare its defense and preserve the diocese of La Rochelle".