An XXL mass for the installation of Mgr Benoît Bertrand, new bishop of Pontoise

Four thousand faithful on a space the size of half a football pitch. Eighty bishops, including François Durand from Langon, current bishop of Valence (Drôme). A stage under a 45 m wide marquee. A giant screen. It was an XXL mass that was celebrated this Sunday, September 15, in Osny, for the installation of Mgr Benoît Bertrand, new and sixth bishop of Pontoise (Val-d’Oise), after a first episcopate in Mende.

A delegation from Lozère

For the occasion, a delegation from Lozère travelled to the Paris region. Laurent Suau, President of the Department, and Régine Bourgade, Mayor of Mende, were present.

The prelate left Lozère on August 19, before returning on August 31 for a farewell mass in the Notre-Dame-et-Saint-Privat Cathedral in Mende. He also remained administrator of the diocese until he officially inherited his new ministry.

The diocese of Mende is still without a bishop. The faithful of the Pays des Sources are still waiting for Celestino Migliore, the Holy See’s apostolic nuncio in France, to announce the name of Bishop Benoît Bertrand’s successor.