The mayor of Argentière-la-Bessée wants to take back, in November, the house where Father André Bernardi, auxiliary priest of the parish of Écrins, lives. This project is contested by the diocese.
In November, the mayor of Argentière-la-Bessée wanted to take back a town hall where a priest lived.
This 130 m² villa, located in the city center, has been made available to the diocesan association since the end of the 1980s.
For Mayor Alain Sanchez, this building must be sold. “The sale of this house would be a source of income that should not be overlooked, which could allow us to bring the apartments that need it up to the right thermal level,” the mayor explained to BFM DICI.
A retired but very involved priest
Except that the villa has been occupied since 2023 by Father André Bernardi, the former priest of the parish of Embrun.
Alain Sanchez considers him retired. “The official parish priest is Father Édouard Le Conte, who lives in Vallouise-Pelvoux,” he says.
But for the latter, the 77-year-old churchman is still essential to the parish life of the commune. “We must not tell Father Bernardi that he is retired because he works hard to keep the parish alive and take care of the faithful,” he says.
The bishopric intervenes in support of the priest
For Father Édouard Le Conte, Father Bernardi’s presence in Argentière is essential. “I could not take care of the commune alone as he does.”
The bishopric is going in the same direction and wants the role of the priest to be recognized at its true value. “He is an auxiliary priest and as such he still exercises his activity. He is responsible for celebrating masses at the Argentière, as well as baptisms, marriages and funerals.”
A petition launched by a believer
As information spread quickly, an anonymous parishioner decided to launch a petition expressing alarm at the possible “expulsion of the priest from his presbytery.”
Alain Sanchez denounces “a lie” and assures “that there was never any question of expelling Father Bernardi, but rather of finding a solution agreed with the diocesan association so that he could move into accommodation adapted to his needs.”
The mayor added that “the proposal for housing in the private sector, immediately available and perfectly corresponding to Father Bernardi’s needs, was refused outright without even taking the trouble to be studied.” Contacted by BFM DICI, Father Bernardi did not wish to respond.
