He calls himself “Father Vitalis” or “Brother Jourdain”: a false Belgian priest, with a worrying profile, is alarming parishes in France

Ce faux prêtre inquiète de nombreuses paroisses en France. (illustration) MAXPPP – Alexis Sciard

Ce 21 février 2024, le diocèse de Toulouse a alerté, via les réseaux sociaux, de la présence en France d'un homme, au profil inquiétant, se faisant passer pour un prêtre.

Who is he really ? The alert was given in a Facebook publication (since deleted) from the diocese of Toulouse. This explains that a man, originally from Belgium, would pose as a priest in France. The individual would be accompanied by a young man possibly under the influence", relates our colleagues from France 3.

"He didn't even know what it was"

"He uses the names Father Vitalis or Brother Jourdain and declares himself Prior General and Founder of the order of the autonomous congregation of brothers and sisters Lataste of Bethany", could we read in the publication of the Catholic Church of Haute-Garonne.

The alleged priest showed up at Ligugé Abbey a few weeks ago asking if he could celebrate mass. But when he is asked for his celebret, a sort of identity card for priests, there is a problem. "He didn't even know what it was. #39;was", indicate the monks, cited by France 3.

"He claimed to be Dominican, but wore the habit of the brothers of the Saint-Jean community. He was evasive, in his own corner, which is strange for a religious person. He did everything not to cross paths with Brother Prior", they continued. As soon as he left, a report was made to the gendarmerie.

This Monday, the Belgian media Sudinfo, relayed by DH net, informs that the soldiers would have located "Frère Jourdain" and that an investigation is underway.

A worrying profile

This alert is particularly worrying because the profile of this man is not reassuring. "Convicted on several occasions, he recently stayed in the West of France", declared the diocese of Toulouse.

The Belgian media but France 3 also, are also alarmed by the similarity between this man and another false priest who had been accused of raping three young people. He was convicted and then acquitted. He called himself “Father Jordano”. However, it is impossible to know if it is indeed the same person.