The Rosmerta association is looking for a solution to buy the premises it occupies in Avignon
The Rosmerta association, which celebrates its three years this Saturday in Avignon, is working on “two solutions in parallel” to buy back the premises of the diocese that it occupies illegally and in which it welcomes around fifty migrants, explains Guigou Chenevier, spokesperson for the association, guest of France Bleu Vaucluse this Friday morning.
“It would obviously be much better for a lasting solution to be found”, answers the bursar of the diocese of Avignon, who owns the 500 square meter building located on rue Pasteur. Nicolas Charpy promises that a purchase proposal is made, the diocese will “examine” it.
France Bleu Vaucluse: You have been occupying the diocese building in Avignon for three years now, and this is precisely the period of occupation that had been granted to you by the courts. Does that mean you’re going to have to vacate the premises?
Guigou Chenevier: It means that we are trying to find solutions so as not to leave the premises. We are working on several scenarios to buy back, buy back the building, since we have somewhat exhausted the avenues of negotiation and support, for example with the City, which is absolutely absent in this file despite very, very, very multiple demands. Cecile Hellé [la maire d’Avignon] and his team have always refused to meet with us. And in any case, if on one, if on a building integrated at the start, it was also to face up to their responsibilities the various partners that are the State, the City, the region and the department. And it is clear that this could not be the case. So today we have the solution to buy the building.
What are the solutions you are working on?
We are working on two scenarios in parallel. The first lead is a real estate agent who people on the team know and have at times in recent years been engaged in the Education Without Borders Network. He is close to our areas of interest and to the support of the refugees and has purchased the building. But we have no answer today to know if these conditions will be accepted by the diocese.
And the other track is the creation of a citizen cell on which we are working with another group. This allows us to involve a whole bunch of citizens and citizens since each and every one could take parts. And in addition to the cost, the project could be supported and helped by foundations.
The novelty in your relationship with the diocese is that a new archbishop has been appointed in Avignon, Monsignor François Fonlupt. Have you met him?
Yes, a group from Rosmerta met him in October. The discussion was very cordial with him. But the fact remains that we received an order by registered letter asking us to empty the premises on October 28. We are already over the deadline. I think it was a way for the diocese to protect itself, obviously. From a legal point of view, anyway. What is certain is that the diocese of Avignon absolutely needs to sell this building and therefore we know that solutions must be found before the end of the winter break.
“If a purchase proposal emerges, we will examine it”, replies the diocese
“I appreciate the serene tone of Mr. Chenevier and his commitment to find solutions, answers on France Bleu Vaucluse
Nicolas Charpy, the treasurer of the diocese of Avignon, but on the other side, the diocese cannot afford to abandon this building. He needs it to carry out his pastoral activities or to derive the income that finances these activities. So the search for solutions must be done in concert with the public authorities and if a purchase proposal emerges, on will examine it. “
Nicolas Charpy assures that the diocese will not expel Rosmerta. “In any case, it is the public authorities who make the law but it would obviously be much preferable for a lasting solution to be found: for the reception of migrants and unaccompanied minors”, he believes.