愛污传媒

Skip to main content

Pope says he removed Paris archbishop because of gossip

FILE - Archbishop of Paris Michel Aupetit arrives to attend a ceremony to celebrate Good Friday in a secured part of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral Friday, April 10, 2020, in Paris. The archbishop of Paris said Thursday Dec.2, 2021 that Pope Francis has accepted his resignation after he admitted to an 'ambiguous' relationship with a woman in 2012. (Ludovic Marin, Pool via AP, File) FILE - Archbishop of Paris Michel Aupetit arrives to attend a ceremony to celebrate Good Friday in a secured part of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral Friday, April 10, 2020, in Paris. The archbishop of Paris said Thursday Dec.2, 2021 that Pope Francis has accepted his resignation after he admitted to an 'ambiguous' relationship with a woman in 2012. (Ludovic Marin, Pool via AP, File)
Share
ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE -

Pope Francis said Monday he accepted the resignation of the archbishop of Paris because the monsignor could no longer govern effectively thanks to the "gossip" about his relationship with a woman a decade ago.

Francis was asked en route home from Greece about the surprise decision, which came only days after Archbishop Michel Aupetit put his fate in Francis' hands following French media reports about what he said was an "ambiguous" relationship with a woman.

French media reports also cited governance problems as a possible reason underlying Francis' decision.

Responding to a question from a French reporter, Francis said there had been some "lapses" with Aupetit involving sexual sins. But he said they weren't even that serious and only involved "some caresses and massages."

He added, that regardless, everyone is a sinner, including the pope himself.

But Francis said the comments that had ensued made it impossible for Aupetit to continue governing effectively. "We're all sinners. When the gossip grows and grows and removes someone's good name, he cannot govern," Francis said.

"This is an injustice," Francis added. "That's why I accepted resignation of Aupetit: not on altar of truth but on the altar of hypocrisy."

Aupetit offered to resign last month after Le Point magazine said he had a consensual, intimate relationship with a woman. The report relied on several anonymous sources who said they had seen a 2012 email Aupetit sent by mistake to his secretary.

Aupetit denied being the author of the email and told Le Point that he didn't have intimate and sexual relations with the woman.

Francis accepted the resignation almost immediately, with the Vatican announcing it while the pope was flying to Cyprus on Dec. 2. Aupetit was 70, five years shy of the normal retirement age for bishops.

Aupetit said in a statement that day that he had offered to step down "to preserve the diocese from the division that suspicion and loss of trust are continuing to provoke."

Francis was also asked about the devastating results of a French inquiry into cases of clergy sexual abuse in the French Catholic Church.

The independent study estimated some 330,000 children overall were victims of sexual abuse linked to the church from 1950-2020.

The inquiry's methodology has been questioned, however, since the data was based on projections, not just files.

Francis said he hadn't read the report but he stressed that with any such historical evaluation, it must be interpreted through the prism of the period under study.

He said for the church and the question of clergy sexual abuse decades ago, that meant recalling that it was common for all abuses to be covered up, within families, the church and society at large.

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

BREAKING

BREAKING

Four people are dead and another is in hospital following a fiery crash in downtown Toronto that happened overnight on Lake Shore Boulevard.

The president and CEO of New Brunswick-based Covered Bridge Potato Chips is taking an 'extended leave of absence' after being charged with domestic violence this past weekend.

BREAKING

BREAKING

Quebec鈥檚 Bureau of Independent Investigations (BEI) is investigating after police in Gatineau, Que. shot and killed a man who allegedly stabbed an officer during an investigation.

Local Spotlight

He is a familiar face to residents of a neighbourhood just west of Roncesvalles Avenue.

A meteor lit up our region's sky last night 鈥 with a large fireball shooting across the horizon over Lake Erie at around 7:00 p.m.

Residents of Ottawa's Rideauview neighbourhood say an aggressive wild turkey has become a problem.

A man who lost his life while trying to rescue people from floodwaters, and a 13-year-old boy who saved his family from a dog attack, are among the Nova Scotians who received a medal for bravery Tuesday.

A newly minted Winnipegger is hoping a world record attempt will help bring awareness for the need for more pump track facilities in the city.

A Springfield, Ont. man is being hailed a 'hero' after running into his burning home to save his two infant children.

Hortense Anglin was the oldest graduate to make her way across the platform at York University's Fall Convocation ceremony this week. At the age of 87, she graduated with an Honours degree in Religious Studies.

Looking for a scare with good intentions this Halloween season? The ghosts and ghouls of Eganville, Ont. invite families to tour the Haunted Walk at Lekbor Manor.

The image of a sleepy Saskatchewan small town with 'not a lot going on' is a well-known anecdote. However, one Saskatchewan company is hoping to change that 鈥 and allow communities both on and off the beaten path to share their stories and advertise what they have to offer.