The following letter was sent by the Vatican Secretary of State to the French Epsicopal Conference.
“The Holy Father Pope Francis wishes to assure you and all the members present [at the Autumn Plenary Assembly 2022] of his prayer and his fraternal and spiritual support.
At a time when the Church in France is once again shaken by the drama of abuse by some of its pastors, he invites you, with your eyes fixed on the cross of Christ, not to be discouraged but to persevere in the assurance that the Holy Spirit will accompany your efforts, which will once again be the subject of your work. He knows your determination to give the Church of France its true missionary face, and he encourages you to go forward with audacity and discernment.
More than ever you are called to address the wounds of the people of God. The victims of these abuses, in the first place, but also all the scandalized, disappointed and tested people, in particular your priests whose so beautiful ministry is dishonored and made even more difficult, and who need your closeness more than ever.
Pope Francis also invites you to the greatest solicitude and paternity for those people - especially young people, priests and laity - who have been disoriented by the Motu Proprio Traditionis Custodes, whose implementation you will be working on. They are often wounded sheep who need to be accompanied, listened to and given time.
Your work will also be about care and respect for the most fragile people, when you reflect on how to help your society find just laws on the end of life. The Holy Father prays that a debate based on truth and free from ideology may be established in your country, and that your voice may be heard.
Aware, therefore, of the difficulty and importance of the issues you are about to face, Pope Francis calls upon you for the gifts of the Holy Spirit. He entrusts you to the intercession of Our Lady of Lourdes and of all the saints of France, and he gives you his heartfelt blessing”.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin