Overview

• On August 16 Archbishop Guy de Kérimel announced that Father Dominique Spina renounced the chancellorship, issued an apology to abuse victims and named Father Léopold Biyoki to take the post on September 1
• The following day the archbishop published a comprehensive communique justifying his June decision by invoking themes of mercy, redemption and restorative justice
• In the new statement he compared Spina’s potential reintegration to biblical figures such as Paul, Matthew and Mary Magdalene who were forgiven and entrusted with leadership roles
• Victims’ groups, clergy and lay faithful reacted with renewed anger at the archbishop’s equating of forgiveness for abusers and survivors
• The Conference of Bishops of France and other prelates have not yet responded publicly to de Kérimel’s extended defence