Bishop Stanislas Lalanne, Bishop Emeritus of Pontoise, has died at the age of 78. A renowned figure in the Catholic Church in France, he led the diocese of Val-d'Oise for more than eleven years before stepping down in 2024 due to his age.
Born on August 3, 1948 in Metz, Stanislas Lalanne was ordained a priest on November 8, 1975. He began his ministry as a chaplain in high schools in Versailles, before becoming head of the student chaplaincy and then director of the National Center for Religious Education.
A clergyman with a strong media presence
Stanislas Lalanne also held several important positions within the French Bishops' Conference. Deputy Secretary General and spokesperson for the episcopate between 1999 and 2001, he had developed extensive experience in religious communication. He was also a member of the Dicastery for Communication at the Vatican.
Appointed bishop in April 2007, he initially led the diocese of Coutances-et-Avranches in the Manche department before becoming Bishop of Pontoise in January 2013. His resignation due to age was accepted in June 2024, and Bishop Benoît Bertrand succeeded him a few months later. His episcopate in the Val-d'Oise was marked by his attention to the region's diversity, interreligious dialogue, and support for the most vulnerable members of society.
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