French chaplain suspected of pedophilia

PARIS, July 6 (UPI) -- A French military chaplain is being questioned for possible pedophilia.

A magistrate's office in Toulon is examining the case of a Roman Catholic chaplain, the French Defense Ministry said in a statement.

The chaplain has also been suspended from his duties by French Defense Minister Michele Alliot-Marie "as soon as she was informed of strong suspicions of sexual aggression on a minor," the statement said.

"The Defense Minister recalls the absolute necessity of respecting the law...that is required by all of us," it added. "Violating it will always be sanctioned, regardless of the status of function of the authors."