At the beginning of June, the Archbishop of Toulouse, Guy de Kerimel, sparked a heated debate in a country, already scandalised by revelations of paedophilia within the Catholic Church, by promoting priest Dominique Spina to the post of chancellor in the southern city.

Spina was sentenced in 2006 to five years in prison, one of which was suspended, for the rape of a 16-year-old high school student in 1993.

“Such an appointment to such an important position, both canonically and symbolically, can only reopen wounds, reawaken suspicions, and disconcert the people of God,” the presidency of the French Bishops’ Conference said in a statement Sunday.

The archbishop said he had “taken the side of mercy” in appointing the priest, whom he had “nothing to reproach”, to an “administrative position”.

The decision has sparked outrage, with several victims’ groups expressing their “anger” at an “unacceptable” situation.