Archbishop Luc Ravel of Strasbourg, France, announced his resignation on Thursday April 20. His archdiocese was undergoing an apostolic visitation in June 2022.
Archbishop of Strasbourg since February 2017, Mgr Luc Ravel has presented his resignation to the Holy Father, he announced this Thursday, April 20 in a press release published on the diocesan website. “Peace being the supreme good, as we entered this magnificent time of Easter, I tendered my resignation to the Holy Father, for whom I pray daily” he writes.
“I have always acted as closely as possible to the Law and to my conscience, having consulted a lot at each decision, to take difficult measures, but which I would have been criticized later for not having taken, in view of the elements in question. my possession. The penal implications of a certain number of cases fall within the jurisdiction of the judicial institution. he wrote to explain his decision, stating that “for the rest, the pontifical secret, which we have to respect, rests with the apostolic nuncio”.
After several weeks of questioning about his retention at the head of the Alsatian diocese, Bishop Ravel therefore decided to leave his post in a “for peace” and with “the concern for truth and justice” that he always looked for “with regard to priests, the faithful and in particular the victims” that he will never forget, he says. “I believe I have acted to resolve the problems in the desire for transparency and respect for confidentiality” he continues.
“In this trying period for all Catholics in Alsace”the Conference of Bishops of France, after hearing the news, wished to assure Bishop Ravel, the priests and the faithful “for his prayers and fraternal support”.
On June 23, 2022, the Apostolic Nunciature in Paris announced the opening of an apostolic visitation of the Archdiocese of Strasbourg following information received by the Holy See. “relating to pastoral government” by Bishop Ravel. Mgr Stanislas Lalanne, Bishop of Pontoise, had been responsible for carrying out this mission, with the assistance of Mgr Joël Mercier, Secretary Emeritus of the Dicastery for the Clergy, from June 27, 2022.