GUADELOUPE
Bishop Philippe Guiougou of Basse-Terre and Pointe-à-Pitre expressed his deep indignation following the violent assault of two parishioners in a church courtyard.
In a December 14, 2025, statement, Bishop Philippe said this sadly confirms how “violence, in all its forms, is a wound tearing at our social fabric and filling our hearts with fear and anger.”
The statement said that the Bishop learned with shock of the violent assault suffered by Justine Benin, former coordinator for the Fight Against Violence Against Women in Overseas France, and the parish’s accountant, on the morning of Sunday, December 14, in the courtyard of the Church of Le Moule, as the two parishioners were on their way to Mass.
Bishop Guiougou addressed the two victims, giving words of comfort, compassion, and moral and spiritual support, “so that they may find consolation after this unspeakable and hateful attack.”
He also expressed his filial closeness to Fr Juste Niongui, parish priest, as well as to his vicar, Fr Isadan Kouka Mbemba, and to the entire community of the faithful of Le Moule.
“The Bishop of Guadeloupe commends the intervention of the sacristans, who chased away the aggressor and assisted the victims, who were in a state of shock, while awaiting the arrival of the gendarmes. The authorities then proceeded with the arrest of the individual, who must now answer for his actions,” the statement said.
The statement noted that this double assault, with its presumed aggravating sexual nature—particularly concerning Benin—and the violation of the dignity of the two victims, “represents yet another crossing of a line in this spiral of violence.”
Bishop Guiougou firmly reaffirms his determination to act, in all areas of diocesan life, within Guadeloupean society, and alongside all people of good will, to prevent and combat all forms of violence in Guadeloupe.
