the director of the Immaculate Conception reinstated in his functions

Major twist in the “Immac” affair. This Thursday, November 28, the administrative court of Pau (Pyrénées-Atlantiques) suspended the decision of the rector of Bordeaux who had banned the director of the Immaculée Conception school complex, Christian Espeso, from practicing for three years. The person concerned is therefore now free to return to his establishment, a little more than two months after having left it under duress and force, while awaiting the judgment on the merits of his case by the administrative court.

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Last April, an inspection was carried out at Immaculée Conception, a private school group under a renowned contract in Pau. A report “showing strengths but also showing shortcomings” was given to the rector of Bordeaux Anne Bisagni-Faure on June 26. This led to the summons of Christian Espeso before the academic council of National Education on August 29, a few days before the start of the school year.

On September 11, the decision was made: Christian Espeso was banned from exercising his functions as director of the establishment for three years. The Bordeaux rectorate accuses the sixty-year-old of attacks on secularism, attacks on educational freedom and an inappropriate managerial policy. The news causes astonishment at “Immac” and in Catholic teaching in general, the sanction being judged “disproportionate” by many.

“The person concerned was never sanctioned”

A summary procedure “to suspend the effects of this decision” is initiated by the director's lawyers. A hearing is held before the Pau administrative court on November 26. Two days later, the court suspended the rectorate's decision. “The judge considers that the two conditions required to suspend the execution of the sanction in dispute are met.we can read in the press release from the administrative court.

In detail, “with regard to the emergency condition, it is held that the risk of dismissal in the short term of the director and the impact that the decision has on his personal situation allow us to consider that this condition is satisfied. Furthermore, it is judged that the argument based on the disproportionate nature of the sanction to the acts alleged against the director was likely to create serious doubt about its legality, particularly since the person concerned was never sanctioned even though he has held management functions in an establishment for many years.

“I am extremely happy”

A decision obviously welcomed very favorably by the three counsels of Christian Espeso, M^e Thierry Sagardoytho, M^e Vincent Ligney et M^e Hugues de Lacoste Lareymondie. “We welcome this courageous judicial decision which puts on hold the professional death warrant signed by the rector, pending its definitive annulment. It is a first step towards rehabilitation for an exemplary man who was illegally and unjustly tarnished.”they emphasize. “I am extremely happy”exults a mother of a student, who is keen to “welcome the decision, surely difficult, of the summary judge”. “When you are right, you must believe in the justice of your country!”she exclaims.

For his part, Philippe Delorme, the general secretary of Catholic Education, is careful not to be triumphant. “This ban on practicing was a very heavy sanction for Christian Espeso as a person, the courts took this into account. But this is a first decision; justice takes its course.” Same caution from Vincent Destais, diocesan director. “It’s a great first step, but it’s only a step. I now hope that the establishment will continue on its path, with a director at its head. We aspire to calm and the return of peace, even if we obviously await the final decision with impatience.”

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The rector Anne Bisagni-Faure, she, “takes note of the decision of the administrative court”. “This is a summary judgment and the merits are not judged, we do not comment on the court decision. We continue to monitor and support the establishment towards compliance with current requirements. We will maintain dialogue with the diocesan authorities so that this renowned establishment continues to help its students succeed.”

The administrative court specifies that “this suspension of the sanction applies until the trial judge, ruling in collegial formation, rules on its legality”. This substantive decision will not be known for several months.