Extremely rare, the ordination of priests has been suspended by the Vatican in the diocese of Fréjus-Toulon, which is wondering in particular about the pastoral line of a seminary, a "test" recognized the conservative bishop of this area, Mgr. Dominique Rey, in a press release.

This decision "to postpone the diaconal and priestly ordinations scheduled for the end of June" was taken following visits made by the Metropolitan Archbishop, Mgr Aveline, Archbishop of Marseille, "at the request of Rome", explained Mgr Rey.

“Certain Roman dicasteries”, Vatican organizations, are asking questions “around the restructuring of the seminary and the reception policy of the diocese”, added the prelate.

The 69-year-old bishop, who has been at the head of this diocese for twenty-two years, caused a stir in the Christian ranks in 2015 by inviting Marion Maréchal-Le Pen, one of the figures of the French far right, at a Catholic summer school.

Training methods that question

Within the Church, the methods of Bishop Rey, a mixture of conservatism and modernism, led to divisive reactions, as did his policy of welcoming new or charismatic communities (coming from abroad, particularly from Latin America ), notably at the La Castille seminary.

"Several reports have been made about questionable training methods within the seminary of Castile, as well as abuses," a Vatican source told AFP.

This resulted in an investigation led by Mgr Aveline and the decision of a discreet inspection mission on the spot.

It is the fruit of all this work which led to the final decision, very rare.

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"There is a debate, or a disagreement between Rome and the diocese on this line, on this pastoral option," a source familiar with the matter told AFP.

A request from Rome accepted "in pain and confidence"

Contacted, the diocese of Fréjus-Toulon could not be reached for more details immediately.

"We welcome this request [from Rome] with both pain and confidence, aware of the test that it represents above all for those who were about to receive ordination," Bishop Rey said in his press release. released Thursday.

He then specified that an interview with Cardinal Ouellet, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, had recently “provided useful information”.

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