Community of Saint John 1975 to 2022: Its own report counts at least 167 victims of 72 brothers; founder Marie-Dominique Philippe himself abused, and his 1957 condemnation by the Holy Office had been concealed and swiftly lifted

The Brothers of Saint John had religious and external experts investigate the abuses in their community and the role of their founder; the report "Comprendre et guérir" appeared in 2023, followed by an English summary. According to the report the Dominican Marie-Dominique Philippe, who founded the community in 1975, was himself the perpetrator of numerous sexual abuses. Excluding his victims, the report counts at least 167 victims of 72 brothers, out of 871 professed members; 25 children under 15 were abused. Philippe had been condemned by the Holy Office in 1957; the sanction was carefully concealed and swiftly lifted by the Master of the Order. He knew much, did not act, asked victims and witnesses for silence and evaded all sanctions until his death.

Period

1975-2022 (47 years)

Report published

1 January 2023

Country

France, Vatican City

Institutions

Community of Saint John
Dominican Order
Holy Office

Category

Sexual abuse, Cover-up

Level of evidence

A Primary source · what does this mean?

Persons

Marie-Dominique Philippe (Dominican, founder of the Community of Saint John (1975); according to the report perpetrator of numerous sexual abuses, condemned by the Holy Office in 1957)

Background

Response of the Church

1. As early as 1956 and 1957 the Holy Office had sanctioned four members of the Dehau-Philippe family in the case of the Eau Vive community. Marie-Dominique Philippe was condemned on 6 February 1957 and forbidden to hear confessions or exercise any spiritual guidance. According to the report the sanction was carefully concealed and swiftly lifted by the Master General of the Dominican Order. Whether the Congregation for Religious, which twenty years later assisted in the founding of the Community of Saint John, knew of the condemnation is still unknown.
   Evidence: Brüder von Saint-Jean, mit externen Fachleuten, The Eau Vive Case (1952-1959)

   „In 1956-1957, four members of the Dehau-Philippe family were sanctioned by the Holy Office“

   Evidence: Brüder von Saint-Jean, mit externen Fachleuten, The Eau Vive Case (1952-1959)

   „The trial resulted in his condemnation by the Holy Office on February 6, 1957, forbidding him from hearing confessions or exercising any form of spiritual guidance.“

   Evidence: Brüder von Saint-Jean, mit externen Fachleuten, Schlussfolgerungen

   „carefully concealed and swiftly lifted by the Master General of the Dominican Order“

   Evidence: Brüder von Saint-Jean, mit externen Fachleuten, The Eau Vive Case, Fußnote

   „we do not know if the Congregation for Religious, which twenty years later would assist in the birth of the Community of Saint John, was informed“

2. As prior general, according to the report, Philippe knew much and did not act, even when approached in his governing role. He protected brothers and asked victims or witnesses for silence; he knew how to suppress complaints from abuse victims and discredit the few who testified. In this way he evaded every complaint and sanction during his lifetime. Had the 1957 sanctions not been concealed and lifted, his potential for harm would, according to the report, probably have been significantly reduced.
   Evidence: Brüder von Saint-Jean, mit externen Fachleuten, Father Marie-Dominique Philippe after the foundation (1975-2006)

   „Father Philippe knew much and did not act, even when he was approached in his role as a governing authority.“

   Evidence: Brüder von Saint-Jean, mit externen Fachleuten, Father Marie-Dominique Philippe after the foundation (1975-2006)

   „particularly by asking for silence from victims or witnesses“

   Evidence: Brüder von Saint-Jean, mit externen Fachleuten, Schlussfolgerungen

   „he knew how to suppress complaints from sexual abuse victims and discredit the few who testified“

   Evidence: Brüder von Saint-Jean, mit externen Fachleuten, Schlussfolgerungen

   „Remarkable abilities that subsequently allowed him to evade any complaints and sanctions during his lifetime, despite decades of sexual abuse and a significant number of victims.“

   Evidence: Brüder von Saint-Jean, mit externen Fachleuten, Schlussfolgerungen

   „One might speculate that had the 1957 sanctions against Father Marie-Dominique Philippe not been concealed and had they not been lifted“

See also

• 1945-1983 · 38 years

  Foyers de Charité 1945 to 1983: Commission documents assaults by co-founder Georges Finet on girls aged 10 to 14 during confession

  • France
  • Sexual abuse
• 1950-2019 · 69 years

  L'Arche 1950 to 2019: Study commission documents sexual abuse by the Dominican Thomas Philippe and the founder Jean Vanier; a sectarian circle outlived the condemnation by the Holy Office in 1956

  • France
  • Canada
  • Sexual abuse
  • Cover-up

Original documents to read

1. Commission report
   Brüder von Saint-Jean, mit externen Fachleuten: Summary of the Report Understanding and Healing. Origins and Analyses of the Abuses within the Family of Saint John, 1 January 2023. Original (retrieved 31 Oct 2026)

Last changed on 31 October 2026. Is something missing or wrong? Suggest an addition or correction.