A Rare Victory for Fraternal Correction, by Phil Lawler

By Phil Lawler, Catholic Culture, Aug 18, 2025

Phil Lawler has been a Catholic journalist for more than 30 years. He has edited several Catholic magazines and written eight books. Founder of Catholic World News, he is the news director and lead analyst at CatholicCulture.org. See full bio.

News flash: Fraternal correction works!

More than a month ago, Archbishop Guy de Kerimel of Toulouse made the appalling decision to appoint a convicted rapist as chancellor of his archdiocese. He explained that he had “taken the side of mercy,” since after serving his prison term for the felony, Father Dominique Spina remained ineligible for any ordinary pastoral ministry.

The appointment caused anger and astonishment. Was it really possible that after years of outrage over clerical abuse, an archbishop could show such sympathy for the abuser, while ignoring the impact that his decision would have on those who had been abused? While it is indeed an act of mercy to help a sinner along the path of redemption, giving a disgraced priest a prominent public role—a promotion—showed a pastoral insensitivity that beggars belief. …