Cathorico : le chant du coq catholique

📰 Procès de la FMND : quand la justice pénale examine la vie religieuse 🇬🇧 English Summary In January 2026, Father Bernard , Superior of the Famille Missionnaire de Notre-Dame (FMND), a Catholic religious community in Ardèche , stood trial before the Criminal Court of Privas for “ abuse of weakness ” under French law. Five former members alleged psychological pressure, loss of autonomy, and social isolation between 2015 and 2020. During the hearings, these accusations were strongly contradicted by current members and many parents, who described freely chosen vocations, healthy spiritual life, and maintained family relationships. The court was thus confronted with two radically different interpretations of the same religious experience. The prosecutor requested severe penalties, including temporary closure of the community’s site, suspended prison sentences, and financial fines. The verdict is expected on March 24, 2026. Beyond the specific case, this trial raises a fundamental que...