RELIGION Monsignor Ivan Brient was appointed by Pope Francis on October 7 and was due to be ordained in early December
Barely appointed, the new auxiliary bishop of Rennes renounces his mission. — ROMAIN DOUCELIN/SIPA
The announcement of his appointment by Pope Francis dates back to October 7. Vicar general of the diocese of Vannes, Father Ivan Brient had been elected as new auxiliary bishop of Rennes in replacement of Monsignor Alexandre Joly, appointed Bishop of Troyes. His ordination was scheduled for December 4 in Saint-Pierre Cathedral in Rennes. But the ceremony will never take place.
In a letter addressed to the religious authorities, the man of the Church announces that he “renounces his mission,” a decision accepted by the pope on Wednesday. Father Ivan Brient explains that he made this choice to avoid « burnout ». A few days after the announcement of his appointment, the priest was confronted to health problems. “After consulting, alarming signs of the onset of burnout were seen. diagnosed,” he explains.
A load “too heavy” for him
“These signs allowed me to understand that I was on the one hand, tired, and that, on the other hand, I feared the tensions that this mission was going to arouse in me and that I would find it difficult to face them,” he continues. Two doctors then “strongly advised him” stop immediately, otherwise you will burn out.”
After reflection, the new Rennes auxiliary therefore threw a the sponge, the load seeming “too heavy” He becomes de facto a priest of the diocese of Vannes, saying he is “available” to any new mission that the bishop might entrust to him.