At the departure mass of the Archbishop of Paris, Michel Aupetit, the faithful divided between sadness and anger
Two hours before the start of the ceremony, little hands are busy placing the song sheets on the chairs of Saint Sulpice church, while the building quickly fills up. At 7 pm, the largest church in Paris after the cathedral is full for a “Mass around Mgr Aupetit”. Many of the faithful speak of a “goodbye” or even using the imperfect, while no one knows where the Archbishop Emeritus will continue his ministry.
From the entrance procession, in which Michel Aupetit smiles, butt in hand, behind a dozen fellow bishops, a round of applause withheld. The choir must stop for a while. ” he loves this diocese, declares at the microphone Georges Pontier, apostolic administrator of the archdiocese. We are here to thank him and pray for the diocese and for him. NOTe hear his invitation not to look at the archbishop, but at Christ ”
“The unique task of a bishop is unity”
” My discover all these magnificent people ”, replies Michel Aupetit who, turning to the assembly, pushes: “I am very moved to see you, brother bishops, priests, seminarians and faithful who show me your affection. Christ teaches us to love one another. The unique task of a bishop is unity. Beyond our differences, the important thing is to be united by the Christ. Stay united, brothers and sisters, for the Lord. “
A message which then resonates in the ranks of the faithful, where sadness and domineering anger. ” I am living this moment, expresses Patrick, very upset against the media. The press did not respect its ethics. ” Not without panache, Michel Aupetit chose to articulate his homily around the risk of love. “Love sets you free, and you take risks. Jesus took the risk of speaking to a single woman, the Samaritan woman. Why ? For Save her ” And more explicitly still, he launches: ” A journalist wrote “MgrAupetit lost for love”. It’s true, but out of love for Christ “, he said, triggering a new round of applause.
Admiration and disappointment
“I met Bishop Aupetit and I was touched by his humanity, his simplicity, says Alain. I did not see the haughty character that some will seduce ”. “I have admiration for him, a man of great humanity thanks to his past as a doctor”, Denise recognizes. ” Extremely sad “, Beatrice speaks of the Archbishop as a wonderful man, whom she appreciates ” the spirituality “, and does ” that it comes from civil society “.
In the aisles, if Denise ” do not pass judgment on what is happening “, and others refuse to answer, some look for the culprits. “ On a wanted slaughter Barbarin, now Aupetit. Are they paying for their commitment against abortion, for life?“, asks Patrick. ” There are rivalries between priests, it’s human “, launches Christiane, thinking of possible denunciations. Her neighbor Monique did not understand the archbishop’s decision to resign. “I’m surprised he was hit at this point. Why did he listen to the rumors? We are all sinners. And Christ is merciful “. Christiane then takes the floor again to criticize the Pope. ” He decided too quickly. In any case, this paper does not like France, it does not have European sensitivity. “.
By inviting the audience, to conclude his homily, toTo go so far as to love his enemies. Because in the face of injustices, there is no other remedy “Michel Aupetit tried to provide a calming response.
“I will continue my mission, because I do not know how to do something else chosen”
And now, how to get over it? “I am not ready for another archbishop. May Bishop Aupetit come back ”, Monique launches, without believing it. Christine, for her part “Attend a servant of Christ, humble “. The successor should be ” someone who knows how to recognize the different Catholic currents “, adds Patrick. Until then, the diocese must continue on its path. “At times like this the Christian world must come together “, assures Alain. ” I am there for Mgr Aupetit and for the Church, so that it continues ” , expresses Denise, wants ” be in a positive spirit “.
” Not sure to be able to respond to hundreds of letters of support and affection received “, Michel Aupetit concluded the celebration by thanking the audience again. He also mentioned ” the vulnerable, the disabled, the poor. I hope that it is with them that I will continue my mission, because I do not know how to do something else chosen “.
This final applause undoubtedly reassured the faithful a little. Despite the son “Accommodation”, Christine recovers very quickly and ensures ” be always in the hope of the light of this Advent season “. Christmas will do good for the diocese of Paris.