Since the death of Father Jean-Christophe Mache in October 2023, the parishes of Quettehou and Barfleur (Manche) had been left without a priest. The interim was ensured by Father Robert Mabire. Sunday 1is September 2024, newly appointed David Lerouge, 48, will officiate his first mass. While the priest of the parish of Saint-Pierre-Eglise will retire, David Lerouge will be in charge of the three parishes: Sainte-Thérèse, Julie-Postel and Notre-Dame. It is 28 municipalities and 35 churches
details the new priest who, on September 22, will welcome Mgr Cador to be officially installed.
Read also: The future of the parishes of Quettehou and Barfleur in question after the death of Father Mache
After a year of training at the Coutances school of faith at the age of 18, David Lerouge entered the seminary of Caen (Calvados) before following a year of philosophy in Paris and spending two years of cooperation as a teacher in Indonesia as part of the national service. I completed my seminary in Paris from 2000 to 2004 and was ordained a priest in June of the same year in Coutances.
David Lerouge recalls his first memories. The words of faith struck so strongly in me. It was an absolute thirst, especially when meeting priests who did beautiful things. This desire has never disappeared.
he assures.
See also: VIDEO. Monsignor Cador officially becomes Bishop of Coutances and Avranches
Priest of three parishes
After a position as chaplain in private establishments in Saint-Lô, David Lerouge succeeded Jean-Christophe Mache in 2008 as chaplain of middle and high schools in Cherbourg. Coincidentally, I also succeeded him as parish priest of Saint-Pair-sur-Mer in 2015 before becoming parish priest of Avranches from 2022 to 2024.
The arrival in Val-de-Saire responds to a request from the bishop. My experience in Saint-Pair weighed in the balance.
According to David Lerouge, the rapprochement of the parishes of Saïre was inevitable. The logic today is to make the parishes work together. To do this, you have to be close.
Read also: Funeral of Father Jean-Christophe Mache in Coutances: “One of your priorities was to create”
David Lerouge is just waiting to discover. The Val-de-Saire is a world of strength between fishermen, market gardeners, breeders and oyster farmers.
The priest will settle in the presbytery of Quettehou but with a pied-à-terre in that of Saint-Pierre-Église. Both entities deserve to live.
The priest has already come to meet the parish volunteers. We are all thinking together about setting up the times and days of masses for the three parishes. We need a solid and flexible system that suits all parishioners.
David Lerouge will be assisted by Father Robert Mabire.
