The diocese of Lyon will welcome from April 30 Father Loïc Lagadec as new auxiliary bishop. “I arrive with the serious and joyful heart of a missionary who is going on a mission”, he confides.
Missionary is undoubtedly an adjective that describes Bishop Lagadec well with a very pastoral background. First parish curate in Bourgoin-Jallieu (Isère) for his first years of ministry, he was then appointed to downtown Grenoble to animate youth ministry. Under his leadership will be created the young pole “Isèreanybody”, whose pun requires a detour through English « Is there any body » resulting in ” is there anyone ? ». A way that is both humble and effective to challenge young people to the presence of Christ in their lives.
Aged 49, Mgr Loïc Lagadec will be one of the youngest bishops of the Conference of Bishops of France. A modern man, who knows how to savor comical situations with frank and communicative bursts of laughter, he will bring an undeniably young and pastoral note. Trained at the university seminary in Lyon, after studying at a business school in Montpellier, he enjoyed a good network of friends in Lyon among the priests and lay people of the diocese. Born of grandparents from Lyon, he was also baptized in Sainte-Foy-lès-Lyon.
decision
“My yes to the pope for this new ministry is in line with my previous yeses. Yes to the Gospel and to Christ in my years of foundation in the faith; yes to the service of the Church in my years of formation and exercise of the ministry of priest. » Vicar general then administrator of his diocese when the seat became vacant on the departure of Bishop de Kérimel, Loïc Lagadec could expect to receive the call to the episcopate. The announcement of his appointment has all the same ” surprised “especially since he only had, as is often the case, a few hours to give his answer.
“I already know the weight of responsibilities and trials”he said, as if to reassure those who think that the episcopal office today is too heavy.
For the time being, Father Lagadec intends to finish his mission as Vicar General of Grenoble, “by preparing as best as possible for the arrival of my successor”, he insists. For the future, he turns in confidence to the Church of Lyon which welcomes him, in particular its archbishop Mgr Olivier de Germay, with this request: “Teach me to be the auxiliary bishop the Church needs! »
