Bishop, Guru of Charismatic Movement, Resigned Over Homosexual "Spiritual Abuse"

Former Créteil Bishop Michel Santier, 73, France, retired in January 2021, citing health grounds after a Corona infection, asthma and "other difficulties."

Now it turns out that he admitted to "spiritual abuse for [homo]sexual purposes" in relation with two anonymous young male adults when he was the leader of a Charismatic prayer school in the 1990s in Coutances Diocese (FamilleChrétienne.fr, October 14).

The two reported Santier’s misbehaviour to Church authorities in 2019. Santier has acknowledged the facts.

Shortly after his resignation, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith sentenced Santier to lead a life of prayer and penance. He is now a chaplain to sisters and will not be subject to any further criminal, canonical or civil proceedings.

Santier was a leading figure in France's charismatic movement and founded a community in 1977. In 2001 he was appointed Luçon Bishop, and in 2007 promoted to Créteil, eastern Paris suburbs. He chaired the bishops’ committee for charismatic movements (2002-2005).

Picture: Michel Santier © wikicommons CC BY-SA, #newsRtdfyyacvb