The Vatican orders an Apostolic Visit for the Diocese of Fréjus-Toulon

The Holy See, through the Dicastery for Bishops, has ordered an Apostolic Visit for the Diocese of Fréjus-Toulon.

This apostolic visit will begin on Monday 13 February and should last several weeks as it involves listening to various actors in the diocese, priests, committed lay people and seminarians etc.

This general inspection has been entrusted to Mgr Antoine Hérouard, Metropolitan Archbishop of Dijon, and he will be assisted by Mgr Joël Mercier, former secretary of the Dicastery for the Clergy.

It should allow the work carried out by Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline during his fraternal visit launched in 2021 at the request of Rome to be deepened and continued. In his report, the metropolitan archbishop of Marseille questioned the value of discernment and training at the Castille seminary. This led to the suspension of the ordinations of six future deacons and four future priests.

The question of the reception and follow-up of new communities was also pointed out.

"We welcome this news in a climate of confidence".

In a press release published at midday, the diocese of Fréjus-Toulon said it welcomed this news "in a climate of confidence" and invited "all the faithful and clerics of the diocese to carry this visit in their prayers, so that it may bear the expected fruits for the good of our diocese".

The Church of the Var has taken advantage of the last few months to reflect on how to improve different areas of governance. This has involved strengthening the methods of monitoring the different communities welcomed into the diocese, but also through pastoral visits undertaken by Mgr Dominique Rey, Bishop of the diocese, throughout the Var territory. Since last September, more than 100 priests have been received for a personal meeting with their bishop and more than ten parishes have been visited.

Source

See also interview with Dom Alcuin Reid

Cathcon:  More mindless, vicious and un-Christian persecution of traditionalists, even of the most moderate kind. Their moderation even makes them easier targets.  Below the Bishop on the Summorum Pontificum Pilgrimage to Rome.