Archbishop target of entirely justified satire after appointing a convicted sex offender Chancellor of his Archdiocese

The pitiful justifications for the unjustifiable—the appointment by Archbishop de Kerimel of Father Spina, sentenced to prison for the rape of a teenager in the 1990s, as chancellor of the Diocese of Toulouse—inspired a team of Christian cartoonists who recreated the Bishop of Toulouse (Lautrec) in the lighthearted drawings of a "Miséricorde magazine," featuring an almost imaginary interview with the person concerned, or rather, Bishop Gargamel. Even the episcopal coat of arms and motto have been revised. Read with your eyes closed and with the diocesan archives locked.

The first issue—whose title refers to Bishop de Kerimel's words, "I take the side of mercy," to make an abusive priest the successor to a Chancellor who is not yet fully mature—was released this Monday morning. Its motto could be castigat ridendo mores- It chastises his manners by laughing.

Source

Mercy!- the Magazine that can be read with your eyes closed

Who are we?

We are a team made up of religious condemned by civil or canonical justice, whom our bishops and superiors sent on mission through this media because "we had to be put somewhere."

Between participating in the SELAM victim compensation fund and this project, our pastors didn't hesitate for a second, and here it is:

You have before your eyes the fruit of their labour

Mercy!

Publication director and spiritual father:

Father Alacoque-Pio of the Wound of the Shoulder, wtf

Interviews, layout, graphics,

Penances and treasurer:

Mother Thomas-Philippe of Holy Mercy, ttbm

Psycho, bribes:

Even Littler Sister Alleluia-Hozanna, BDSM, Duflan™™ psychopractitioner

Fictitious job, beer supplier:

Father Zébulon of the Holy Cordon, fdp

Drawings, exorcised salt necklaces:

Sister Robiolo, ntm

Games, love of friendship:

Mother Jean-Vanier of the Little Feet of the Child Jesus

MAJOR INTERVIEW

WITH MGR DE GARGAMEL

PORTRAIT

Ordained a priest in 1987, he began his priesthood as a parish priest.  This hands-on experience taught him a tremendous amount. In 2000, he took charge of the Saint-Dénis seminary, where he trains the priests of tomorrow in the art of mercy in the service of sinners.

Since 2015, he has been Bishop of the Diocese of Lautrec. With him, we return to the importance of silence, which hides the truth in order to magnify it.

WHERE THE EYE DOES NOT GO PEACE INHABITS

Mercy!: Monsignor, thank you for receiving us.  The recent appointment of Father Pina-Colada, with his... shall we say, contentious background, has provoked strong reactions. What do you say to those who cry scandal?

Mgr de G: It's not a scandal.  This is a misunderstanding of mercy.  In our institution, forgiveness is not a luxury: it's a career strategy.

As it is said in the Scriptures: 'I do not say to you to forgive up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.' We have therefore chosen not to count the deviations, especially when they disrupt the stability of the diocese. And besides... its judicial past is as old as the tapestries in our sacristy.

EPISCOPAL MOTTO AND COAT OF ARMS

His motto: Where the eye does not go, peace dwells.

In other words: Where the eye does not look, peace settles.

We find this idea with the crossed-out eye. The dove on the ground symbolizes the despair in which Bishop de Gargamel strives to place the victims.

The archives padlocked to ensure silence and a leaning cross to justify the unjustifiable

Mercy!: However, this decision arouses great incomprehension among the faithful.

Bishop de G: I invite them to meditate on the "theology of the blind spot." We had placed our brother in this key position precisely because no one would give it a second thought. In the Book of Job, we read: "If he gives rest, who can cause trouble? If he hides his face, who can see him?"

You see, even the Lord hides his face. This is not negligence; we are simply following God's teaching. The faithful should follow his example. By not seeing, we allow things to take their providential course. This is the theology of the blind spot: where the eye does not look, peace settles.

Mercy!: And the victims? What do you say to them?

Bishop de G: We have prayed a lot for them. And what's more, we sent them a very moving brochure on the path to forgiveness, before plunging into intentional silence. Thanks to this, they will be able to move forward.

But you know, I'm also thinking of that poor Father Pina Colada. This extraordinary man is resilient.

Yet, he carries his cross, much more than anyone else. It is a real test for him. This nomination adds to his pain and his exclusion. Let us not forget the suffering of a path of penance. The inquisitive glances, the widespread suspicions of which he is the victim. Everyone must remember their own beam before seeing the speck in their neighbor's eye.

Mercy!: One last question,

Your Excellency. Your method has been described by some theologians as "providential clericalism." What do you think of this term?

Bishop de G: This is a wonderful recognition. If it means having the audacity to reinterpret theology in the face of scandal, then I am proud of it. Our vocation is not to follow the winds of public disapproval, but to blow the breeze of ecclesiastical comfort. The Church is like Plato's cave: sometimes it is better to remain in the shadows than to look too closely at the light.

Finally, I urge you: let us pray together that Father Pina-Colada continues his silent work, and that the archives of the diocese are kept with as much discretion as in the past.

Bishop de Gargamel, at the listening day for the victims of the Diocese of Lautrec

The secret to a successful listening day, according to him, is to have a good listening unit that filters out presentable victims from others who are better left aside.

Whole issue

On the last page

How to remain sane in the face of scandals

1. Cultivate black humour
2. Support the victims
3. Campaign
4. Cry out to the Lord