Pope Leo XIV accepted the resignation of the Bishop of Verdún (France), Mons. Jean-Paul Gusching, at 70, five less than the retirement age for bishops, established in 75 years. When giving the news, the press office of the Vatican He did not offer further details.
The Diocese of Verdún He reported on the other hand that the Pope “appointed Mons. Philippe Ballot, Archbishop-Obispo de Metz, Apostolic Administrator ‘Vacancies’ Headquarters’ and the holy seat from the Diocese of Verdún until a new bishop takes canonical possession. ”
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In the statement, Mons. Gusching said that “at the beginning of September, I informed them of a worrying situation about my state of health. Some know that the alarm signs date long before, but, until then, I managed to cope with the disease.”
On September 1, the French prelate shared that a few days before suffered the fracture of the humerus “without any fall or accident”a fact that “surprised doctors” and required thorough investigation.
In his text today, the bishop said that “throughout these years, I have sought to be a shepherd close to you, attentive to each one, sharing your joys and tests. There I have found my deep joy and a great spiritual strength.”
However, he continued, “today, being aware of my state of health that makes it difficult for me to live my mission, I must retire from the diocese to receive adequate care.”
Jean-Paul Gusching was born on June 25, 1955 in Neuville Coppegueule, in the Diocese of Amiens (France). He obtained civil baccalaureate and an accounting diploma.
He entered the Seminar in 1976, completed his philosophical training in the Saint-Sulpice Seminar of Issy-Le-Moulineaux and his theological training at the Reims Seminar, where he obtained the Bachelor of Theology.
He was ordained a priest on June 19, 1983 for the Diocese of Amiens.
After his management, he studied at the Higher Institute of Catechetical Pastoral of the Catholic Institute of Paris (1983-1984) and Theology Studies at the same Institute (1984-1985).
It served in different parishes in Amiens, becoming a general vicar and diocesan administrator, until Sui appointment as a bishop of Verdún in July 2014.
Walter Sánchez Silva
I am husband since 2008. With my wife we have three children here and one who went to heaven in 2023, before birth. Since I joined ACI Press in 2005, I have had the opportunity to cover various events of the Catholic Church. Among them, the World Youth Days in Colonia, Madrid and Rio de Janeiro and the apostolic trips of Pope Benedict XVI to Mexico and Pope Francis to South Korea. I have been sent to the Vatican to cover the family’s synods, in 2015; of the Amazon, in 2019 and that of Sinodality, in 2023. I follow the situation of the Catholic Church in Nicaragua, which suffers the persecution of the dictatorship of Daniel Ortega, as well as the ecclesial news in the region.