Abuse of Power: Did Bishop Drive Priest into Suicide?
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“Too often, it is a small circle of clerics and lay people around the bishop who have the last word,” he wrote.
Foucauld arrived 2014 in Bois d'Arcy (Versailles Diocese). Strong-willed, he renewed the parish, but was opposed by five parishioners who had managed the parish before. They sent letters to the bishop, interrupted Foucauld’s homilies, insulted members of the pastoral team in the street. Those around the bishop support them.
Foucauld’s lawyer involved a professional mediator who gave up after nine hours because the bishop was denying any problem. Foucauld went on hunger strike, asking for an audit.
After twenty days, the bishop accepted. The audit (March/April 2021) accused Foucauld of serious financial issues without providing any proof. In April 2021, Bishop Crépy took over in Versailles.
Foucauld's lawyer asked twice for a debate with the auditors but was refused. Crépy never confronted Foucauld with the evidence and even decided to destroy it. In September 2021, Foucauld was removed from the parish.
In March 2022, Crépy accepted a final mediation with a lawyer. He conceded in a letter that "the assertions made about the priest are not supported by any evidence" and that the audit was contrary to professional ethics. It was agreed to publish the letter to rehabilitate Foucauld.
But two months later, Crépy broke his word. Realising that no one would support him, Foucauld committed suicide. "It is better that one man should die than that the institution should perish," said Caiaphas.
Philippe Benassaya, the then Mayor of Bois d' Arcy, called Foucauld a “friend” and “dynamic partner in the life of the community.”
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