HASaccused of having an intimate relationship with a woman, which he has always denied, Mgr Michel Aupetit submitted his resignation at the end of November to Pope Francis, who accepted. Subsequently, Bishop Georges Pontier was appointed Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Paris by the Vatican. Four months after the “Aupetit affair”, the former archbishop breaks the silence in the Parisian, Saturday, April 9. In emails exchanged with the daily, the man of faith says he is “rejoicing” in his new life in a former Toulouse abbey, transformed into a “shared place of life”.
The septuagenarian rubs shoulders with the homeless, migrants, former prostitutes, or even single mothers to whom he helps. “Wounded people” who “often carry wisdom and life lessons that our somewhat superficial world tends to forget”, indicates the former prelate. Questioned by the newspaper, a priest who knew him well was amused by this new job. “They won’t take it very long. He is super nice, Aupetit, but self-centered, he only talks about himself. To make oneself very small after years of eloquence is a revolution. But maybe he will get there, I believe in miracles, ”he explains with a laugh.
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Bishop Aupetit denies the sin of the flesh
Bishop Michel Aupetit had left his post as archbishop, one of the most prestigious posts in the French episcopate, after an investigation by the Point referring to his proximity to a woman in 2012. The principal concerned had conceded “ambiguous behavior”, while denying any relationship of a “romantic” or “sexual” nature. Six days after his renunciation in December, Paris Match published photos of the cleric in the company of a forty-something theologian. A noteworthy outing described as “romantic”. In response, Bishop Michel Aupetit attacked the magazine for “defamation”.
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