A Catholic priest has been removed from his leadership role at the Chartreux school group in Lyon due to a relationship with an adult student under his supervision. On Wednesday, September 2, the Archbishop of Lyon, Monsignor Olivier de Germay, announced disciplinary actions against Father Jean-Bernard Plessy, 63, who had been the head of the school group for 27 years. According to a statement released by the Archbishop, he became aware in June 2026 of a relationship Plessy had with an adult student placed under his authority. Following this revelation, de Germay ordered a canonical investigation, a formal religious inquiry into the matter, and took immediate steps, including removing Plessy from his position as director and barring him from the school premises in Lyon and Saint-Étienne. In addition to the disciplinary actions, a criminal investigation was initiated by the Lyon prosecutor’s office, as noted in the school group’s official statement. The prosecutor’s office, when contacted by AFP (Agence France-Presse), was not immediately available for comment. Father Plessy, who was ordained in 1991 in the Saint-Étienne diocese, had been stationed in the Lyon diocese since 1999. The Chartreux school group, which operates across both cities, serves approximately 4,000 students, offering education from kindergarten through post-baccalaureate programs such as BTS (technical higher education) and license (undergraduate degrees). Father Plessy had already announced his intention to resign earlier in the year. In a letter to parents dated July 9, he stated that he felt it was time to step down "with recognition and a sense of duty accomplished." His removal from the school group now comes as a result of the investigation into the relationship with the adult student. The situation has raised concerns about the accountability of religious figures in positions of authority over students, and the Church has emphasized the need for transparency and adherence to ethical standards. The case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by religious institutions in maintaining strict oversight of their personnel, particularly in educational settings. While the Church has taken formal steps to address the issue, the broader implications for the institution and its reputation remain to be seen. The canonical and criminal investigations are expected to provide further clarity on the circumstances surrounding the relationship and the appropriate course of action moving forward.