The president of the French bishops’ conference has requested the Archbishop of Toulouse to reconsider the appointment of a convicted priest as diocesan chancellor. The bishops' conference stated that the appointment could reopen wounds and disconcert the people of God. The statement emphasized the Church's commitment to addressing past abuses and continuing the work of conversion. Fr. Dominique Spina, the priest in question, was convicted of sexually abusing a minor in the 1990s and served prison time. Archbishop Hervé Giraud of Viviers has publicly criticized the appointment, expressing his disapproval.
4 months ago
The French bishops' conference has formally requested that Archbishop Guy de Kerimel of Toulouse "reconsider" his decision to appoint Father Dominique Spina as the diocesan chancellor and episcopal delegate for marriages, effective September 1 1 3 4. This appeal comes in response to widespread criticism following the announcement of Spina's promotion 1.
Father Dominique Spina was convicted in 2006 by the Tarbes Court of Appeals for raping a 16-year-old student in 1993 while serving as a school chaplain 1 3 4. He was sentenced to five years in prison, serving four years, before being released 1 3. After his release, Spina was incardinated into the Archdiocese of Toulouse 1.
The public became aware of Spina's conviction in 2016 through a news report, which led to his removal from public ministry by Archbishop Robert Le Gall, de Kerimel's predecessor 1. Prior to his current appointment, Spina had been serving as vice chancellor, restricted from public ministry, and working in diocesan archives 1. The decree announcing his promotion was published on June 2 but gained public attention on July 7 3 4.
The presidency of the French bishops’ conference, including Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline of Marseille, issued a statement on August 11, asserting that such an appointment "can only reopen wounds, reawaken suspicions, and disconcert the people of God" 1 3 4. They emphasized the Church's ongoing commitment to a "long and demanding work of conversion" in addressing the painful issue of abuse, stressing the importance of continuing this work in all sectors of ecclesial life and listening to abuse victims 1 3 4. Archbishop Hervé Giraud of Viviers also publicly denounced the appointment as "unacceptable and untenable" 1.
Archbishop Guy de Kerimel has defended his decision, stating he "taken the side of mercy" 1 3 4. He argued that denying mercy would "lock the abuser into a social death," likening it to a "form of death penalty" 1. De Kerimel noted that Spina's role as chancellor would primarily involve work in the archives, with no contact with young people, and should not be perceived as a "promotion" 1. He also suggested that Spina, having served his sentence and undergone a process of conversion, now meets the canonical requirement for chancellors to be "of unimpaired reputation and above all suspicion" 1.
What are the Church's criteria for clerical suitability?
The Catholic Church has established comprehensive criteria for determining the suitability of candidates for the priesthood, encompassing human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral dimensions . These criteria are designed to ensure that those admitted to Holy Orders possess the necessary qualities to serve effectively as "servants of the Church as communion" .
Human formation is considered the foundational element for all other aspects of priestly formation . This includes achieving affective maturity and a balanced human and psychic equilibrium, particularly in the affective realm, to enable a free and complete self-gift in celibate life and in relationships with the faithful . Formators are expected to have a good understanding of the human person, including their growth rhythms, potentials, weaknesses, and their relationship with God . They must be able to discern a candidate's true motivations, identify barriers to human and Christian maturity, and recognize any psychopathic disturbances .
The discernment of a vocation and the maturity of a candidate is a serious duty of the rector and other formation personnel in the seminary . Before every ordination, the rector must confirm that the candidate possesses the qualities required by the Church . The spiritual director also plays a crucial role, bound by secrecy, in guiding the candidate and ensuring they understand the Church's demands regarding priestly chastity and affective maturity . Spiritual directors and confessors have a duty to dissuade candidates from ordination if they practice homosexuality or have deep-seated homosexual tendencies .
The Church has the right and duty to verify the suitability of future priests, including through recourse to medical and psychological science . This is supported by Canon 1051, 1º of the Code of Canon Law, which requires an evaluation of the candidate's physical and psychic health . Psychological evaluations may be necessary in cases of doubt regarding a candidate's suitability for admission to the seminary . Pope John Paul II emphasized that psychological expertise should be integrated in a balanced way within the vocational discernment process, safeguarding the role of spiritual direction and fostering an atmosphere of faith . Psychologists involved in this process should have strong scientific qualifications and a sound understanding of the Christian vision of life and priestly vocation .
The discernment of a candidate's suitability is formally undertaken through "scrutinies" at various points during priestly formation: admission to candidacy for Orders, the ministries of lector and acolyte, diaconate, and priesthood . These scrutinies are not merely bureaucratic but are authoritative assessments of a person's vocation and its development . They aim to verify the actual presence of the required qualities and personal circumstances at each stage of formation .
Before conferring sacred ordination, it is necessary to verify that the prescribed formation period has been completed, that the candidate possesses the necessary human and spiritual qualities, and that no impediments or irregularities are present . Canon 1052 §1 C.I.C. requires that suitability must be clearly demonstrated with "positive arguments" that provide moral certainty, rather than simply the absence of problematic situations . The bishop holds the ultimate canonical responsibility for the call to Holy Orders .