Laurent Ulrich

Laurent Bernard Marie Ulrich is a prominent French Catholic prelate, currently serving as the Archbishop of Paris since April 26, 2022. His extensive career in the Church includes prior leadership roles as the Archbishop of Lille from 2008 to 2022 and the Archbishop of Chambéry–Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne–Tarentaise from 2000 to 2008. Born on September 7, 1951, in Dijon, France, Ulrich pursued his theological education at the Catholic University of Lyon after earning a master's degree in philosophy from the University of Dijon.

Life and Historical Context

Ordained a priest on December 2, 1979, Ulrich held various pastoral and administrative positions within the Diocese of Dijon before his episcopal consecration. These roles included Deputy Parish Priest, Episcopal Vicar, and Vicar General, where he was involved in ongoing formation and pastoral care for both clergy and laity. His commitment to Catholic media is evident in his founding of Radio Parabole in 1988 and his long-standing leadership of Radio Chrétienne francophone (RCF), the French Catholic radio network. In 2000, he published "L’Enseignement de l’Église sur les questions sociales" (The Teaching of the Church on Social Issues).

Episcopacy and Contributions

Pope John Paul II appointed him Archbishop of Chambéry–Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne–Tarentaise in 2000. He was later appointed Bishop of Lille by Pope Benedict XVI in 2008, with the diocese subsequently elevated to an archdiocese. During his tenure, Ulrich organized a provincial synod and was appointed by Pope Francis as a papal delegate to the 2015 Synod on the Family. He has been recognized for his advocacy for migrants and his thoughtful contributions to public discourse on social cohesion and the Church's role in society, earning him the rank of chevalier in the Legion of Honor in 2017. In 2021, he testified before the French national commission on sexual abuse, offering his analysis of the causes of priestly abuse, emphasizing issues of authority and clericalism.

Archdiocese of Paris

Pope Francis appointed Ulrich as Archbishop of Paris in April 2022. His installation involved receiving his crozier outside the Notre Dame Cathedral and participating in a vespers service, followed by a welcome Mass at the Church of Saint-Sulpice. He currently presides over the Council for Catholic Teaching of the Bishops' Conference of France and supports the use of contemporary language in addressing issues like homosexuality within the Catechism of the Catholic Church.