CAEN, France -- A Roman Catholic bishop admitted Thursday to concealing the crimes of a pedophile priest, but he said he would keep silent again rather than break confidences made to him in his role as bishop.
The trial of Pierre Pican, bishop of the western town of Bayeux, is the first of its kind in France. It has raised questions about the relationship of church and secular law and the duty of priests to disclose certain offenses.
Pican, 66, is charged with ''failing to disclose the sexual abuse and maltreatment of minors below the age of 15 by a figure in authority.'' The bishop faces a maximum three-year jail sentence and fine of about $41,000. He is accused of refusing to tell the police of assaults carried out over nine years by Rene Bissey.
The priest was convicted last October on 11 counts of sexual abuse and sent to prison for 18 years.
Pican told the court that he was first informed of Bissey's offenses in December 1996 -- two years before the priest was arrested.
He was asked whether, if the circumstances were repeated, he would denounce a priest who he knew had committed sexual offenses on children. Pican replied, ''Having consulted my conscience in this supreme decision, the answer is no.''
He added: ''I would encourage him to turn himself in. I would involve myself more personally in the case. But I am overwhelmed by the number of people who choose to confide in me, and they can do it because they know I have never turned anyone in.''
Pican's defense will argue that the bishop had only a partial knowledge of Bissey's activities and that he took steps in his capacity as the priest's superior to stop him from reoffending. The bishop had the priest seek psychiatric help and relieved him of his duties for six months.
Pican's lawyer also is expected to cite professional secrecy and argue the bishop was under no obligation to disclose crimes revealed in confession. However, according to the prosecution, the secrecy defense does not apply to crimes committed on minors.
The trial comes as the church in France deals with allegations that it has not taken charges of pedophilia seriously. More than 75% of France's population of 60 million are Catholic.
According to French church officials, of 25,000 priests nationwide, there are 19 under investigation of rape or sexual assault on minors. Thirty have been convicted in recent years.