Monaco. Former Archbishop Monsignor Barsi, who married Prince Albert, is dead
By Writing Nice
Published on
On Wednesday December 28, 2022, the former Archbishop of the Principality of Monaco, Bernard Barsi, died at L’Archet hospital in Good (Alpes-Maritimes), announced the diocese of Monaco. He was 80 years old.
Bernard Barsi had been hospitalized there for three days, following a cardiac arrest. His condition was “stabilized”, still according to the diocese, but “considered worrying”. His last public appearance was during the celebration of the Christmas service, in the prison of Nice.
A well-known clergyman on the Côte d’Azur
The man of the Church was very well known on the Côte d’Azur, where he began to officiate on June 28, 1969, at La Trinité, as our colleagues from RCF Nice Côte d’Azur. Pope John Paul II subsequently appointed him Archbishop of Monaco in 2000.
Monsignor Barsi was thus the head of the Catholic Church in the principality during the funeral of Prince Rainier III, in 2005, then the wedding of Prince Albert II and Charlene, in 2011. He retired in 2020.
Personality “highly appreciated” in Monaco
The President of the National Council of Monaco, Brigitte Boccone-Pagès, remembers him as “a personality much appreciated by the entire Monegasque community”, she says on her Facebook page. “It is with heavy hearts that we say ‘thank you’ to him today. We pray for him and for his family. »
At the National Council, as part of the legislative exercise on so-called sensitive texts, in particular on the decriminalization of abortion for women, the cohabitation contract (CVC) or even on the opening of shops on Sundays, elected officials have always been able to rely on the benevolent listening of Monsignor Barsi and on a quality of serious and sincere dialogue to have Monegasque legislation reasonably and responsibly estimated, in line with the expectations of our population and the evolution of mentalities .
“Strong connection with the mountains”
On the French side, the tributes in his memory are numerous, like the mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi, who evokes “a Nice person very deeply attached to his city and his county, where he practiced in several parishes” and in particular his “strong connection with the mountains”.
Bernard Barsi had participated in the inauguration of the Isola 2000 station in 1971, and “said mass on this occasion”, recalls Christian Estrosi.
Monsignor Barsi was made Chevalier of the Legion of Honor
The president of the departmental council, Charles-Ange Ginésy, remembers “a major ecclesiastical personality of the Alpes-Maritimes” and that he was made “Knight of the Order of the Legion of Honor in 2021, for his services within the Church and at the service of the common good”.
Its actions aimed to condemn the persecution of Christians in the world and the different forms of intolerance or discrimination they suffer in Europe.
The diocese of Monaco has not yet communicated the date of his funeral.
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