The diocese of La Rochelle (in the department of Charente-Maritime, France) gave in to media pressure and finally issued an official statement about Father Anthony del Castillo, more than a month after our publication!
On the other hand, to have an official publication of the Institute of the Incarnate Word, we will have to wait, and wait, and wait…
The text of the press release below:
Today, August 20, 2025, the website “Catholic Response” published a statement implicating a priest of the Institute of the Incarnate Word, Father Anthony Del Castillo, for suspicion of abuse of power that led to sexual relations with a potentially vulnerable 18-year-old girl.
The facts reported are for the most part accurate and Father Del Castillo has acknowledged them.
On the other hand, the diocese and the institute have not remained inactive and have not tried to hide them, but we have recently become aware of them and we are still in a preliminary investigation phase.
It was on July 11 that a friend of the young girl who had already contacted me, left me a message telling me that she had proof of her friend’s sexual relationship with Father Del Castillo.
On July 13, Father Del Castillo asked to meet Father Bertrand Monnard, Vicar General, and acknowledged his grave fault.
On July 14, together with Father Tristan Perez, provincial of the Institute of the Incarnate Word, we took the decision to remove Father Del Castillo from the office of parish priest of Jonzac and to send him to a community of the Institute in Italy. It is true that during the summer he went to see his family in Peru, but he is about to return to Europe.
On the other hand, the diocese having been contacted by the parents of the young victim girl, I met with them on August 13.
In the present phase, the diocese of La Rochelle and the Institute of the Incarnate Word, we are in the process of completing the file of the case concerning Father Del Castillo before launching ecclesial and, if necessary, civil procedures.
We are all affected by this tragedy. We have a strong will to do the truth and a desire for justice, knowing that it is ultimately in God’s hands.
Archbishop François Jacolin
Bishop of Luçon
and apostolic administrator of the diocese of La Rochelle
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