The bishops of France want the Archbishop of Toulouse to return to his decision to promote a priest convicted of rape on a minor in 2006, believing that this appointment can only “Reviving injuries” et “Discuss” The faithful.
“We have started a constructive dialogue with Mgr Guy de Kerimel, Archbishop of Toulouse, inviting him to reconsider the decision he had taken about the appointment of the chancellor of his diocese ” Reports, Sunday, August 10, the presidency of the Conference of Bishops of France (CEF) in a press release. “Indeed, such an appointment to such an important position, canonically and symbolically, can only rekindle wounds, awaken suspicion and disconcert the people of God”underlines the organization.
In early June, the Archbishop of Toulouse appointed to the post of Chancellor the priest Dominique Spina, sentenced in 2006 on appeal to Tarbes (Hautes-Pyrénées), while he was a priest of the diocese of Bayonne (Pyrénées-Atlantiques), at five years in prison, including one suspended, for the rape of a 16-year-old high school student in 1993.
“The Mercy Party”
The Archbishop explained having “Take the side of mercy” To name this priest to whom he has “Nothing to reproach” in a “Administrative function” – The chancellor establishes administrative acts and has a advice role. This decision aroused misunderstanding. In response, several collectives of victims of Catholic establishments, including Notre-Dame de Betharram, have expressed their ” anger “ Faced with a situation “Unacceptable”.
“We have learned to look at these facts first from the point of view of people who were the victims (…). This displacement of the gaze, the overwhelming listening of their distress and their pain, the welcome of their invitation to humbly pursue a path of truth with them, began, for our ecclesial institution, a long and demanding work of conversion, that we are resolved to continue “says the CEF, chaired by Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline, Archbishop of Marseille.
