French priest Julien de Pommerol of a parish in Lyon announced on Sunday that he plans to become a father. Thus, the priest will resign from his post in the Church.
“I understand that this may be shocking or leave a feeling of betrayal. This is a painful process that honesty requires. I deeply regret the pain it may cause. I will become a father in a few months,” Julien said in a statement. note quoted Lyon Tribune.
Before writing the message published in the press, the priest made this statement to the faithful during mass.
“I humbly apologize. I am very upset about this. A new responsibility arises for the sake of the child and the mother, I do not consider shirking responsibility,” he clarified.
“Some time ago I experienced great pain that I didn’t know how to share. Her origins are not connected with priestly life. This event weakened me and changed my ability to discern.”
The Archbishop of Lyons confirmed and accepted the priest’s decision. “For reasons that we cannot judge, our brother retreated from the necessary [castidade e celibato] and will assume fatherhood,” said Olivier de German.
This is not the first time something like this has happened in Lyon. In 2017, Father David Grea gave up his profession after announcing his desire to get married.