French Priest and Religious Order Convicted — Religious Leadership Treated as a Crime
On 24 March, a court in Privas, France, delivered its verdict in the case of Father Bernard Domini and the Catholic community Famille Missionnaire de Notre Dame (FMND).
The case raises wider questions about religious freedom and new legal standards in France.
Following a two-year investigation, the case centred on allegations of "abuse of vulnerability" and 2psychological subjection" brought by five former members of the community. The community has approximately 160 members.
The charges did not involve allegations of sexual abuse, physical violence or financial misconduct, but instead focused on the community's internal practices and discipline. In its ruling, the court issued ten decisions, resulting in seven acquittals and three convictions.
Father Bernard was convicted on one count and acquitted on four others, while the FMND was convicted on two counts. The punishments handed down were relatively lenient: a six-month suspended sentence for Father Bernard and a €25,000 fine for the FMND.
The court recognised two of the five complainants as victims.
The findings related to the treatment of two former members, including claims that they had been isolated from their families and had limited communication.
The court also examined aspects of community life, such as the group's hierarchical structure, spiritual instruction and leadership.
However, the defence disputes these findings, arguing that the practices in question are typical of religious communities and that the accusations are contradicted by testimony from members and their families.
They have also raised concerns about procedural fairness during the trial. The defence claimed that they were denied access to 9,000 pages of documents and that only nine of the nineteen defence witnesses were heard.
The case is closely linked to France’s evolving legal framework on 'psychological subjection', which was reinforced in 2024 as part of efforts to address alleged "sectarian" abuses.
Father Bernard and the FMND have filed an appeal, and the case is expected to be reviewed in the coming years.
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