Strasbourg: former Archbishop Luc Ravel responds to critics for the first time

In a long interview granted to the Christian newspaper "La Vie", the resigning Archbishop of Strasbourg Luc Ravel answers the criticisms that led to his resignation about a month ago

The Archbishop was nothing if not combative

This is the first time he has spoken out since his resignation. The future ex-archbishop of Strasbourg, Monsignor Luc Ravel gave a long interview to our colleagues of the Christian newspaper "La Vie". The prelate had not spoken since his resignation on 20 April. A resignation at the request of the Pope, following an apostolic visit, a kind of investigation into the situation of the diocese ordered last year.

Luc Ravel had been the subject of much criticism in Alsace, on his management judged sometimes brutal, on his repeated absences and following the eviction, considered necessary, of personalities of the diocese. The former archbishop of Strasbourg first replied that he needed, in a way, to find a certain inner peace. Hence his long silence.

Time to analyse what some people have reproached him for. First of all, his sometimes rough, brutal relations with his colleagues. "I don't dispute any clumsiness," he says, even if the Prelate assures us that his door has always been open. Monsignor Ravel also responds to criticism of his supposed lack of interest in Alsace and his absences from the Diocese. He affirms that he has experienced some very beautiful moments in the field here in the region.

Fight against sexual abuse in the Church

But one issue embodies more than any other the magisterium of Luc Ravel and the tensions that may have accompanied it. That of taking into account sexual abuse in the Church.

A concern embodied by the Archbishop to the point of sometimes offending. Luc Ravel replies that it was his responsibility to lead this fight. It was a fight that took up a lot of his time, he says. "Perhaps it was too much for me," he concludes. One question remains: what will become of the Archbishop now? On this point, Luc Ravel maintains the mystery for the moment.

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