Saturday January 28, the rector of the cathedral of Orleans announced that he had made the decision to leave orders, in order to live a love story with a woman.
The news came as a surprise to the faithful who regularly visited Orléans Cathedral . Father Christophe Chatillon spent 25 years of his life in orders, since he was ordained pastor-dean at the center of Orléans in 1999, then rector of the cathedral in 2010.
After years of service, Christophe Chatillon has decided to resign…because he has found love.
This decision was taken by the priest in order not to “lead a double life” and was taken freely with the agreement of Father Blaquart. He announced the news in a letter to his followers.
“I freely choose to leave the ministry ,” he said. For six and a half years, accompanied by my brother priests and deacons, I had the joy of living my ministry at the service of the different communities that make up the parish of Orléans Coeur de Ville. For a very long time, the joys of the mission and of fraternal life allowed me to compensate for the frustrations linked to the priestly ministry, and more particularly to celibacy. Today, this is no longer the case.”
According to Christophe Chatillon, “the pastoral charge has become increasingly heavy to bear physically, morally and even spiritually” in recent months. For 25 years, the clergyman supported celibacy, but he doesn’t want to do it anymore. Indeed, he met a woman with whom he fell in love and with whom he wants to make his life.
“At the heart of the ordeals I’ve been through in recent years, the chance of life wanted me to find the comfort I needed with a friend who listened to me and supported me. Today I don’t want to look to the future without her ,” he said.
An announcement that surprised people in the Church, who wish happiness to the new couple.
