Scandal-magnet Emmanuel Community in the Vatican's Sights: Rome launches an Apostolic Visit

The Emmanuel Community in the Vatican's Sights: Rome Launches an Apostolic Visit

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Laity, Family, and Life, accepted the resignation of the General Moderator of the Emmanuel Community, Michel-Bernard de Vregille, on July 31, 2025. Three months later, Rome took action by ordering an apostolic visit entrusted to Bishop Antoine Hérouard.

The Ex-Moderator

The Vatican has decided to launch an apostolic visit to the Emmanuel Community. The decree, signed on October 24, 2025, by Cardinal Kevin Farrell and made public during the Fraternity of Jesus retreat in Paray-le-Monial, marks a major turning point for this community of the Charismatic Renewal, often perceived as one of the most influential centers of the Catholic Church in France. According to the official text, several bishops and members of the Community sent detailed reports to the Dicastery, expressing their concerns about internal governance, the centralization of power, and the difficulty of integration into diocesan life. These concerns were confirmed by an internal report dated October 3, 2024, which also cited shortcomings in the handling of abuse cases. The Dicastery therefore considers it necessary to "deepen the critical issues in a broad sense" and "provide the Community with appropriate support."

The mission was entrusted to Monsignor Antoine Hérouard, Archbishop of Dijon, already well-known in Rome for having led several sensitive missions. He is becoming a regular at apostolic visitations, having been mandated in 2022 for the visit to the Diocese of Toulon-Fréjus, following tensions surrounding ordinations suspended by the Vatican.

Monsignor Hérouard will be tasked with supporting the Community's reorganization process, particularly in defining the role of the moderator, relations with diocesan bishops, managing cases of abuse, and internal training. The decree specifies that the visitor may be assisted by advisors and assistants, with expenses covered by the Community.

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