A senior cleric at Monaco Cathedral has been found guilty of workplace harassment and sentenced to a six-month suspended prison term by the Principality’s criminal court, Monaco-Matin reports.
The ruling was delivered on Monday, January 19, following a trial held earlier this month. Canon Daniel Deltreuil, who serves as parish priest of the cathedral and holds the third-highest position within the Monaco Diocese, faced charges brought by three employees — a sacristan and two security staff members, one of whom remains in post.
Prosecutors had sought a tougher penalty, requesting a 12-month suspended sentence along with a two-year probationary period. However, the court opted for a reduced sanction.
Judges also rejected additional penalties proposed by the prosecution, including a temporary ban on exercising priestly duties and restrictions on contact with minors.
As part of the judgment, Deltreuil has been ordered to compensate the victims, with damages ranging between €1,000 and €2,500.
The case first became public in October 2022 when Monaco’s Archbishop, Dominique-Marie David, formally reported the matter to the Public Prosecutor after receiving alarming testimonies from cathedral staff. The employees described an oppressive working environment inside the country’s main religious institution.
During the three-year investigation, complainants detailed a pattern of alleged abuse: repeated verbal humiliation, disparaging remarks about their appearance and education, frequent outbursts of anger, insults, threats of dismissal, contradictory instructions, and restrictions on basic needs such as drinking water or using the restroom during working hours.
Allegations of sexual harassment were also examined but ultimately dismissed due to procedural issues.
Taking the stand, the priest acknowledged shortcomings in his management style, admitting he lacked formal leadership training. However, he denied being abusive, claiming the accusations had been exaggerated. He portrayed the employees as demanding and accused them of taking liberties at work.
The verdict represents a significant moment for the Monaco Diocese, which has been under scrutiny since the case surfaced beyond church circles.
