Jean-Marc Noël Aveline
Stored: Jean-Marc Noël Aveline
| His Eminence Jean-Marc Noël Aveline | |
| Bishop of Archdiocese of Marseille | |
| Home diocese: | Archdiocese of Marseille |
| Other diocese 1: | |
| Other diocese 2: | |
| Other diocese 3: | |
| Ordination: | 3 November 1984 by Archbishop Robert Coffy |
| Consecration: | 26 January 2014 by Archbishop Georges Pontier |
| Rank: | Cardinal |
| Created cardinal: | 27 August 2022 by Pope Francis |
| Personal details | |
| Born: | Jean-Marc Noël Aveline 26 December 1958 Sidi Bel Abbès, French Algeria |
| Died: | |
| Nationality: | France |
| Education: | Catholic University of Paris |
| Motto: | "Fiat mihi secundum Verbum tuum" (Let it be done to me according to your word) |
| Role: | Diocesan |
| Theology: | Progressive |
| Region: | Western Europe |
| Rite: | Roman Rite |
| Conclave Eligibility: | Eligible |
Jean-Marc Noël Aveline (born December 26, 1958) is a French prelate of the Catholic Church, serving as the Archbishop of Marseille since 2019 and elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2022.[1] Born in Sidi Bel Abbès, French Algeria, to a pied-noir family, Aveline moved to Marseille in 1966 after Algeria’s independence.[2] Ordained a priest in 1984, he became known for his intellectual contributions to theology, founding the Institut des sciences et de théologie des religions (ISTR) in 1992, and his commitment to interreligious dialogue, particularly with Muslim communities in Marseille’s diverse port city.[3] His rapid rise under Pope Francis—from auxiliary bishop in 2013 to cardinal and president of the French Bishops’ Conference in 2025—has positioned him as a leading figure in French Catholicism, noted for his pastoral approach and advocacy for migrants.[4]
Aveline’s leadership emphasizes a Church that is “minoritarian, prophetic, critical, and free,” aligning with Pope Francis’ vision of openness and social justice, though his progressive stance has drawn criticism from traditionalist Catholics who view him as overly liberal.[5] His role as a potential papabile in the 2025 conclave, following Pope Francis’ death in April 2025, has been widely discussed, supported by progressive cardinals like Jean-Claude Hollerich and Reinhard Marx, though his lack of Italian fluency may pose a challenge.[5][6] As president of the French Bishops’ Conference, elected in April 2025, Aveline faces the challenge of addressing the Church’s sexual abuse crisis while promoting unity and interfaith dialogue in a secularizing France, making him a unifying yet polarizing figure in global Catholicism.[4]
Biography
Birth and early life
Jean-Marc Noël Aveline was born on 26 December 1958 in Sidi Bel Abbès, French Algeria, to a pied-noir family of Spanish descent.[2] His father, a railway worker, moved the family to Paris in 1962 following Algeria’s independence, settling in Colombes until 1966, when they relocated to Marseille after the death of Aveline’s younger sister, Martine, and health issues affecting Aveline and his sister Marie-Jeanne.[3] Raised in SNCF housing in Marseille’s Saint-Barthélemy neighborhood, Aveline grew up in a working-class environment, shaped by his parents’ faith and the experience of emigration.[2]
Aveline’s early connection to the Church was influenced by his family’s resilience and Marseille’s multicultural context.[3] He attended Lycée Victor-Hugo and Lycée Thiers in Marseille, where he excelled academically and began discerning a priestly vocation.[2] The challenges of his family’s displacement and the loss of his sisters—Marie-Jeanne died of cancer in 2011—instilled in him a commitment to unity and dialogue, themes that would define his later ministry.[3]
Education
Jean-Marc Aveline began his priestly formation in 1977 at the Interdiocesan Seminary of Avignon, studying theology for two years.[2] He then joined the Carmes Seminary in Paris, pursuing theological studies at the Catholic University of Paris, where he earned a doctorate in theology in 2000, focusing on the Christology of religions.[7] He also obtained a licentiate in philosophy from the Université Paris I and Paris IV Sorbonne, enhancing his intellectual approach to interreligious dialogue and secularization.[2]
Aveline’s academic career included teaching theology at the Catholic University of Lyon from 1997 to 2007 and directing the Institut Saint-Jean, which became the Catholic Institute of the Mediterranean in 1998, fostering collaboration with Lyon’s Faculty of Theology.[3] His studies of figures like Paul Ricœur and his engagement with Marseille’s diverse religious landscape shaped his progressive theology, emphasizing encounter over absolutism.[3]
Priesthood
Ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Marseille on 3 November 1984 by Archbishop Robert Coffy, Jean-Marc Aveline served in various pastoral and academic roles.[1] He taught theology and was director of studies at Marseille’s interdiocesan seminary, while serving at Saint-Marcel parish and later Saint-Pierre and Saint-Paul parish, where he was episcopal vicar for permanent formation from 1987 to 2007.[2] He led the archdiocese’s vocation service from 1991 to 1996, encouraging priestly vocations in a secularizing region.[2]
In 1992, Aveline founded the Institut des sciences et de théologie des religions (ISTR) in Marseille, directing it until 2002 and promoting dialogue with Islam, inspired by Charles de Foucauld and the Tibhirine monks.[3] He served as vicar general of Marseille from 2007 to 2013 and was a consultant to the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue from 2007 to 2012.[7] His priesthood blended intellectual rigor with pastoral accessibility, earning him admiration as a “team player” and “sincere” pastor.[4]
Bishop
Appointed titular bishop of Simidicca and auxiliary bishop of Marseille by Pope Francis on 19 December 2013, Jean-Marc Aveline was consecrated on 26 January 2014 by Archbishop Georges Pontier, with Cardinals Bernard Panafieu and Roger Etchegaray as co-consecrators.[1] Promoted to Archbishop of Marseille on 8 August 2019, he was installed on 15 September 2019, succeeding Pontier, a rare case of an auxiliary becoming the local ordinary.[2] Elevated to cardinal-priest of Santa Maria ai Monti on 27 August 2022, Aveline became France’s fifth cardinal-elector, gaining prominence as a papabile.[7][5]
Aveline’s episcopal ministry has focused on interreligious dialogue, migrant advocacy, and addressing poverty in Marseille’s quartiers nord, aligning with Pope Francis’ priorities.[8] He hosted Pope Francis in 2023 for the Mediterranean Meetings and was elected president of the French Bishops’ Conference in April 2025, tasked with navigating the Church’s sexual abuse crisis and secularization.[4] His mediation in the 2020 Affaire Rey and openness to traditionalists reflect his unifying approach, though his progressive views have sparked debate.[3]
| Diocese | Role | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archdiocese of Marseille | Auxiliary Bishop | 19 December 2013 | 8 August 2019 | Titular Bishop of Simidicca; focused on interreligious dialogue |
| Archdiocese of Marseille | Archbishop | 8 August 2019 | Present | Elevated to cardinal in 2022; elected president of French Bishops’ Conference in 2025 |
Significant events
- Ordained priest for the Archdiocese of Marseille in 1984.[1]
- Founded the Institut des sciences et de théologie des religions (ISTR) in Marseille in 1992.[3]
- Appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Archdiocese of Marseille in 2013.[1]
- Named Archbishop of Archdiocese of Marseille in 2019.[2]
- Elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2022.[7]
- Hosted Pope Francis in Marseille for the Mediterranean Meetings in 2023.[8]
- Elected president of the French Bishops’ Conference in April 2025.[4]
- Cited as a leading papabile for the 2025 papal conclave.[5]
Books
- No books have been confirmed as published about Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline as of the latest available information.
Written about the bishop
- White, Christopher (10 April 2025). "Cardinal Aveline: France’s New Church Leader". https://www.ncregister.com/interview/cardinal-avelin-france-s-new-church-leader.
- Sauvaget, Bernadette (15 September 2022). "Jean-Marc Aveline, the French Cardinal Who Has the Pope’s Ear". https://international.la-croix.com/news/jean-marc-avelin-the-french-cardinal-who-has-the-popes-ear/.
- O’Connell, Gerard (20 April 2025). "Papabile of the Day: Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline". https://thecatholicherald.com/papabile-of-the-day-cardinal-jean-marc-avelin-emerges-as-a-unifier-with-a-global-vision/.
Written by the bishop
- Cardinal Aveline has authored several theological articles and monographs, particularly on Christology and interreligious dialogue, though specific titles are not publicly detailed.[3]
External links
- Jean-Marc Noël Cardinal Aveline at Catholic-Hierarchy.org
- Biography of Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline at Archdiocese of Marseille
- Cardinal Aveline Welcomes Pope Francis at Vatican News
- Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline at Vatican Press
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Cheney, David M.. "Jean-Marc Noël Cardinal Aveline". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/baveljm.html.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 "Biographie du Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline" (in fr). https://www.diocesedemarseille.fr/biographie-du-cardinal-avelin.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 Sauvaget, Bernadette (15 September 2022). "Jean-Marc Aveline, the French Cardinal Who Has the Pope’s Ear". https://international.la-croix.com/news/jean-marc-avelin-the-french-cardinal-who-has-the-popes-ear/.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 White, Christopher (10 April 2025). "Cardinal Aveline: France’s New Church Leader". https://www.ncregister.com/interview/cardinal-avelin-france-s-new-church-leader.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 O’Connell, Gerard (20 April 2025). "Papabile of the Day: Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline". https://thecatholicherald.com/papabile-of-the-day-cardinal-jean-marc-avelin-emerges-as-a-unifier-with-a-global-vision/.
- ↑ "Cardinal Aveline Cited as Papabile for 2025 Conclave". 25 April 2025. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2025-04/cardinal-avelin-papabile-conclave.html.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 "Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline". 27 August 2022. https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2022/08/27/220827a.html.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Cardinal Aveline Welcomes Pope Francis to Mediterranean Meetings". 23 September 2023. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2023-09/marseille-pope-francis-mediterranean-meetings-avelin.html.