French bishop resigns after furor in diocese

January 22, 2015

Bishop Jean-Marie Le Vert of Quimper, France, has resigned, the Vatican has announced.

A brief announcement on January 22 indicated that Pope Francis accepted the resignation of the French prelate “in accordance with canon 401 para. 2 of the Code of Canon Law.” That canon allows for the early resignations of bishops in cases involving illness “or other grave reason.” At the age of 55, Bishop Vert was 20 years short of the ordinary retirement age.

Bishop Le Vert, who was appointed to head the Quimper diocese in 2007, was suspended from active episcopal ministry “until further notice” last year, after an explosion of tensions among the diocesan clergy led to the resignation of the vicar general and two members of the episcopal council. At the time, “health reasons” were cited for his removal.

 

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Further information:

• Le Pape accepte la démission de Mgr Jean-Marie Le Vert du diocèse de Quimper (Vatican Radio)
• Other Pontifical Acts (VIS)
• L’évêque de Quimper suspendu de sa charge « jusqu’à nouvel ordre » (La Croix)