Father Christian Michel is appointed vicar general of the diocese of Mende, succeeding François Durand

Le père Christian Michel est prêtre incardiné au diocèse de Nîmes. DR – DR

Father François Durand becoming bishop of Valence, his successor has just been appointed. Lozerian, he comes from the diocese of Nîmes.

The joy generated by the appointment of Father François Durand as bishop of Valence, at the beginning of January, was accompanied for the diocese by a big question: who was going to succeed him as vicar general ? White smoke at the diocesan house of Mende: the new vicar general has just been appointed.

At noon, this Thursday, January 25, 2024, Mgr Bertrand, Bishop of Mende, announces: "After consultations, discernment and prayer, I appoint, in agreement with Mgr Nicolas Brouwet, Bishop of Nîmes, Father Christian Michel, vicar general of the diocese of Mende.&quot ;

Father Christian Michel remains an incardinated priest in the diocese of Nîmes (that is to say he remains attached to it). "I thank the new vicar general for his apostolic availability. It demonstrates a generous service between sister Churches in our province", writes Mgr Bertrand in the official press release.

His journey

However, many know Father Christian Michel since he is from Lozé. Born on May 19, 1956 in Mende, he was ordained deacon in Florac in 1982, then priest in Mende Cathedral on May 22, 1983. He exercised his ministry as dean priest in Rieutort-de- Randon before following, from 1987, Carmelite training and obtaining a canonical license at the pontifical faculty of the Teresianum in Rome. From 1993 to 2005, he was successively prior of the convents of Montpellier, Bordeaux and Roquebrune-sur-Argens. He returned to Rome in 2006 as secretary general of the pontifical faculty of the Teresianum and then obtained a doctorate in spiritual theology in February 2014. In 2016, he was welcomed into the service of the diocese of Nîmes. Appointed chaplain of the Carmel of Uzès, and chancellor of the bishopric of Nîmes, he was also responsible for teaching at the Catholic Institute of Toulouse, then administrator of the ;parish complex of Saint-Geniès-de-Malgoirès. In 2020, he was appointed judge to the officiality of Montpellier.

Father Christian Michel will gradually arrive in the diocese. It will be present on a stable basis from March 5. "We will also have to, in the coming months, consider the creation of the office of general delegate of the diocese who would join the vicar general and the vicar general. bishop for the government of the diocese. This new mission would be entrusted to a confirmed baptized person, man or woman", announces the bishop.