A moderate profile
Archbishop of Lille since 2008, Laurent Ulrich presents a moderate profile within the Catholic episcopate. He has “a real social fiber”, underlines a source familiar with the environment. He was particularly involved in the cause of migrants, and had organized a prayer in Dunkirk in tribute to the 27 migrants who drowned in the Channel last November. A native of Dijon, holder of a double master’s degree in philosophy and theology, he was ordained a priest in 1979 for the diocese of Lyon, where he became episcopal vicar then vicar general. It was in 2000 that he was appointed Bishop of Maurienne and Tarentaise, in Chambéry. Later, he held several positions in the Conference of Bishops of France.
In Lille, a diocese marked by great poverty, he worked with associations. In December 2018, he called for appeasement in the crisis of “yellow vests”. “He is a man of great spirituality. […] in contact with the faithful and actors of solidarity, ”tweeted the mayor of Lille Martine Aubry.
A surprise appointment
“It was a surprise, a complete surprise,” he told RCF Hauts-de-France on Tuesday, thinking of spending his last years in the diocese of Lille, the retirement of a bishop being at 75. “My ministry in Paris is going to be a ministry that wants to manifest the friendship of Christ,” he added. His installation in Paris will take place on May 23 in the Saint-Sulpice church.
This is the first time in more than 40 years that the seat of Archbishop of Paris has escaped a former priest of this diocese, putting an end to the era inaugurated in 1981 by the influential Jean-Marie Lustiger. “I will be attentive to listen to the pains you have experienced in recent months”, in particular “with the departure of my predecessor”, declares the prelate in his video.
The “ambiguous” behavior of Michel Aupetit
His predecessor, Michel Aupetit, who was appointed archbishop in December 2017 following Cardinal André Vingt-Trois, tendered his resignation after several newspapers lent him a romantic relationship with a woman, which he categorically denied. He was also criticized for his management of human resources at the head of the largest diocese in France.
At the end of November, he presented his resignation to the sovereign pontiff, arguing that his behavior may have been “ambiguous” and admitting that it may have caused “disorder among the Catholics of the diocese”. Shortly after, however, he said he was “victim of a cabal”. After accepting the departure of Michel Aupetit, Pope Francis had given himself until Easter to find a replacement for the former archbishop of Paris.
Laurent Ulrich is appointed Archbishop of Paris by Pope Francis