A “fraternal visit” to the diocese of Bayonne against a backdrop of suspicions of "sectarian excesses"

The governance of bishop Monseigneur Marc Aillet -one of the best bishops in France and promoted to the episcopate in 2008- and his diocese of Bayonne-Lescar-Oloron in the eye of the Vatican . The Holy See has ordered a “ fraternal visit ” from this Monday, June 3 following several letters and complaints from the faithful, confirming information from La Croix . The archbishop of Dijon was responsible for conducting a series of confidential interviews with the various members of the diocese, which has 200 priests in Béarn and the Basque Country. “ The idea is to take an overview of the functioning of the diocese, and then at the end I will meet the bishop to discuss with him ,” confides archbishop Antoine Hérouard, promoted to the episcopacy by Francis.

The archbishop of Dijon will carry out seven interviews per day for the first week alongside a nun who will take note of all the exchanges. He will conduct a second interview session in early July, before sending a report to the Vatican by the end of the summer . “ It is the question of governance, the role of the bishop, how the unity of communion in the diocese is ensured... What I hope is that people will be able to speak freely and with confidence , say what they think ", continues archbishop Antoine Hérouard.

This “ fraternal visit ” is not an “ apostolic visit ”, which is ordered by the Vatican in the event of serious problems. “ We are in a phase which is not of that order. It is a question of looking at the situation, and then from there, are there any recommendations to make, any advice to give to the bishop and how can we help so that the diocese lives in a communion that is clearer, easier ", observes the archbishop of Dijon.

Several believers complain of an overly strict and rigorous reading of the Bible by the diocese, with positions considered backward and going against the grain of Pope Francis' desire for openness. “ Our bishop places communities which have their own way of doing things, their convictions, as in the Sainte-Marie parish where all the lay people who were there left ,” testifies Marie-Paule, a faithful of Saint-Pierre- of Irube.

The talks will also discuss the Alliance of United Hearts, of which the Bishop of Bayonne is responsible. “ This association is the subject of criticism, it is a question of knowing whether there are any sectarian excesses and whether the bishop is in the right position in supporting this association ,” he said. asks Mgr Antoine Hérouard. Contacted by France Bleu Pays Basque, the bishop of Bayonne-Lescar-Oloron responds that it is possible that he has things to reproach himself for, but recalls that he does not govern alone and that " no one is infallible. " .

If the Vatican turned to the Archbishop of Dijon, it is in particular because he led an “ apostolic visit ” in February 2023 in the diocese of Fréjus-Toulon where he collected some 600 testimonies. It is in this same diocese that Mgr Marc Aillet was vicar general from 2002 to 2008.