Alain Delon's funeral to be led by bishop facing trial for assault
22 August 2024 11:03
A French movie star who passed away on Sunday, Alain Delon, will have a Catholic funeral at his own request. The funeral celebrations will be led by a bishop who was friends with the artist. Prelate Jean-Michel Di Falco is a priest who is currently facing trial for rape and sexual assault.
One of Alain Delon’s last wishes, as a global cinema star, was a Catholic burial at his residence in Douchy, Loiret. According to the AFP agency, the funeral will be conducted by Prelate Jean-Michel Di Falco.
The 82-year-old retired bishop of Gap in the Hautes-Alpes department had known Alain Delon for many years. The actor was a believer and had a special devotion to Mary.
Alain Delon's funeral. The ceremony to be led by a controversial clergyman
Jean-Michel Di Falco is a friend of many stars and politicians. He conducted the private funerals of Valéry Giscard d'Estaing in December 2020, businessman Jean-Luc Lagardère, singer Charles Trenet, director Maurice Pialat, and actors Jean-Claude Brialy and Mireille Darc. In 2015, he also officiated the wedding of singer Pascal Obispo.
However, despite such strong connections within the French elite, Di Falco does not have a clean record. He remains the subject of allegations of sexual assault on minors in the 1970s. Since 2001, he has been standing trial, facing numerous charges of pedophilia.
A 60-year-old actor today accuses the former priest of rape and sexual assault between 1972-1975. At that time, Di Falco was in charge of the private Parisian institution Saint-Thomas-d'Aquin. His alleged victim claims to have been harmed at the age of 11-14, which influenced his entire later life.
The charges were dismissed due to the statute of limitations. The actor decided to take the case to civil court, where the proceedings are still ongoing.
The clergyman became famous not only because of this high-profile trial. The media reported on him in relation to his involvement in a scandal connected to a beer advertisement, combined with a pilgrimage site and the exhibition in the cathedral of the "Pietà" depicting Christ on an electric chair. He also founded the musical group "Les Prêtres," whose three albums, combining church hymns, classical music, and pop hits, were hugely successful.
