Florida Priest Accused Of Sexually Battering Woman He Married

HOMESTEAD, FL — A 64-year-old Catholic priest assigned to a South Florida church was taken into custody over the weekend and accused of drugging and sexually assaulting a female parishioner whose wedding he once officiated at.

Fr. Jean Claude Jean-Philippe was charged by Miami-Dade police with sexual battery of a physically incapacitated person. He was arrested 8:30 p.m. Friday night at 1701 NW 87 Ave. in Doral.

A spokeswoman for the Archdiocese of Miami said Jean-Philippe served as parochial vicar at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Homestead, which is about 38 miles from Miami.

"Effective immediately, Archbishop Thomas Wenski has removed Fr. Jean-Philippe
from Sacred Heart Catholic Church, placing him on administrative leave," the spokeswoman said.

She said church officials received a complaint about Jean-Philippe from the woman on March 4. She was directed to file a complaint with the police.

"The Archdiocese of Miami continues to fully cooperate with law enforcement as this
allegation against Father Jean-Philippe continues to be investigated," the spokeswoman explained.

She said the Miami diocese has offered the woman "pastoral and psychological counseling" in accordance with its safe environment policy.

Jean-Philippe, a religious order priest, is a member of the Congregation of
Priests of the Mission, also known as Vincentians.

Arrest documents said Jean-Philippe was also godfather to the 44-year-old victim's children. The incident occurred in October 2018 when the woman visited the priest on church property.

"Once there, the defendant offered her a non-alcoholic tea, which she accepted and drank," arrest documents said. "After the consumption of the beverage, the victim stated she awoke in the nude in the defendant's bed two hours later and does not remember what happened during those two hours."

Arrest documents said the woman could not recall how she got to the bedroom and how she became undressed.

"She advised the defendant was standing over her in his white underwear and no shirt," arrest documents said. "The victim stated she immediately smelled a bodily fluid which she believed to be semen on her person."

The victim told police she asked the priest if he sexually assaulted her.

"He denied the allegation," court documents said. "Post Miranda, the defendant stated he massaged the victim in the nude and with oil and digitally penetrated her vagina."