Quentin, a former priest who is now married with two children, accused his superiors of revealing his private life and tarnishing his reputation in 2020 after his suspension from the Catholic order. This is the first time members of the clergy will go before the Belgian criminal court, La Libre reported on Friday.
At the time of the alleged offences, De Kesel was the Cardinal and Archbishop of Mechelen-Brussels and Kockerols was an auxiliary bishop. Quentin was a practising priest who fell in love with and impregnated his parishioner Eva in 2016. He sought advice from the Public Centre for Social Welfare (CPAS) about what to do. Eva eventually gave birth in France and put the child up for adoption.
Facts become public
Later, a parishioner employed by CPAS approached Quentin to tell him they knew he had fathered a child. A separate couple employed by CPAS notified De Kesel, and Quentin was suspended on 11 April 2019.
Three days later, a different priest performed Palm Sunday mass instead of Quentin. After the service, Kockerols told church-goers that Quentin had violated priestly rules. He added that "I would like to make it very clear, for the avoidance of doubt, that the charges do not relate to sexual abuse of minors."
Quentin's lawyer Cédric Vergauwen qualifies this as defamation. He argued that it was implied that the case concerned sexual abuse of an adult – which was not the case. In addition, by revealing information given to them in the course of their duties, the two clergymen breached professional secrecy.
The Brussels Council Chamber followed his advice and concluded that the two men should have known that their actions would have negative consequences for Quentin. It referred the case to the criminal court.
Quentin also previously filed complaints against the president of CPAS and the couple who notified the Church of the pregnancy, but both were discarded.
No trial date has been set.
Quentin and Eva are now married with two children, and Quentin works in education.