Nuncio blames ‘Parisian cabal’ for rejection of gay nominee

The Vatican nuncio in Paris has warmly praised Laurent Stefanini, the openly gay, senior French diplomat whose appointment as Ambassador to the Holy See was rejected by the Vatican, writes Tom Heneghan. The nuncio blamed the failure to appoint Mr Stefanini on a “Parisian cabal,” without giving further details.

Archbishop Luigi Ventura, doyen of the diplomatic corps in Paris, spoke at a reception he held for Mr Stefanini in recognition of his six years as head of the Quai d’Orsay’s protocol division.

As part of this role, he traditionally honours the outgoing protocol chief with a reception, and the nuncio hosted the event in this capacity. Paris withdrew Mr Stefanini’s nomination in April following a 15-month standoff with the Vatican. The Government legalised same-sex marriage in 2013 against strong opposition backed by the Church.

In a reference to that dispute –  the appointment was leaked in Paris before the Vatican had approved it – Archbishop Ventura told Mr Stefanini: “You were always a support and a friend in this misadventure.” In response, Mr Stefanini spoke “as a French Catholic” of his “attachment to Pope Francis”. The respected diplomat enjoyed support from senior French prelates and was received by Pope Francis for a private meeting in April 2015.

Vatican officials insist the fact that the diplomat was gay was not the reason for blocking the appointment.