The ex-priest Bernard Preynat, sentenced in March 2020 to five years' imprisonment for sexual assault, committed between 1971 and 1991 in the diocese of Lyon, could avoid prison for health reasons, his lawyer said on Tuesday 19 January.
To read also: The ex-priest Preynat, convicted of pedophile assaults, renounces to appeal
In the fall, Preynat withdrew his appeal, paving the way for his imprisonment, but this is conditional on a green light from doctors, according to Me Frédéric Dsez.
"
Taking into account the age of Preynat
(75 years, Editor's note)
, an expertise will be ordered by the judge of the application of sentences (JAP) to know if his state of health is compatible with the execution of the sentence
", said Me Doye, confirming information from RCF radio.
"
If his condition is not deemed compatible, his sentence will be adjusted, otherwise he will serve his sentence,
" he added.
The failing health of the former scout chaplain was mentioned during his trial before the Lyon Criminal Court a year ago.
Bernard Preynat was sentenced on March 16 to five years in prison for his sexual assaults against young scouts.
A canonical process had already made him lose his quality of priest in July 2019. This case, which broke out in 2015, splashed the entire Catholic hierarchy through Cardinal Philippe Barbarin.
Sentenced at first instance in 2019 for his silences on the case, the prelate was then released on appeal but resigned from his duties as Archbishop of Lyon.
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