Father Jean Claude Jean-Philippe, 64, of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, a church of the Archdiocese of Miami in Homestead Florida, was put in Jail Friday, March 15, 2019 on allegations that he drugged and raped a woman. The woman, who is a parishioner of the church said that in October of 2018 she was invited to drink tea at the priest’s home on church grounds. About two hours later she woke up naked with Jean-Philippe “standing over her bed in his white underwear and no shirt,” according to the police report.
After initially denying the claims to Police on Friday, Jean-Philippe admitted to massaging the woman and sexually assaulting her. He has been arrested and charged with sexual battery on a victim who was physically incapacitated.
The Archdiocese of Miami has put him on administrative leave.
According to Jeff Herman, a nationally recognized attorney for victims of sexual abuse, “This is a disgusting abuse of power and trust. Anytime there is a hierarchy of power and trust, there is risk for assault. Although more often we hear about priest abusing children, this is an example of a breach of trust against a vulnerable person.”
