On Wednesday, May 10, 2023, the French Bishops’ Conference (CEF) introduced a new "celebret" document to be carried by all priests. The purpose of the modernized celebret is to establish a national standard that will be regularly updated and certifies a priest's ability to celebrate Mass and hear confessions, while also revealing any past penal infractions since its inception during the Council of Trent in 1542.
This document, issued by a bishop or the superior of a religious community, serves as a testament to a priest's capability "to administer the sacraments: Mass, baptism, confession, marriage, anointing of the sick, and to preach," as explained by Msgr. Alexandre Joly, Bishop of Troyes and vice-president of the French Bishops' Conference (CEF). It includes details regarding the priest's ability to supervise youth groups and whether they can be left alone with a minor, even in visible spaces.
The celebret may be required when a priest travels outside their diocese, whether within France or internationally, when visiting shrines, parishes, or participating in significant events like World Youth Days (WYD). Its purpose is to verify that the priest is in good standing to administer the sacraments and is not subject to any restrictions that hinder their sacramental authority.
In November 2021, during a Plenary Assembly of the bishops, a decision was made to establish a national model for the celebret document. This initiative aims to standardize the document across dioceses and religious communities while also providing a mechanism for real-time updates of authorizations and restrictions. Its primary objective is to prevent impostors, such as false priests or deacons, from exploiting the faithful and the sacraments by fabricating fake celebrets.
Practically, the celebret takes the form of a personal identification card, similar to the new identity cards, with access to the document through a QR code that can be scanned using a smartphone. The card has no expiration date, except in cases of a change in the place of incardination. The card includes the following information: a photograph, details of incardination, the priest's full name, date and place of birth, as well as information regarding their ordination.
The celebret document now includes a unique personal identifier (ID) and a QR code. Moving forward, individuals welcoming "priests, rectors, or sacristans" will have the ability to verify a priest's status by scanning the QR code provided on the document. This link will direct them to a "personnel" page listed in a national electronic directory.
Bishops are responsible for ensuring that the information on the celebret is updated annually or promptly whenever a sanction or limitation is imposed. The personnel pages are color-coded for easy understanding: green indicates no limitations, orange signifies limitations, and red indicates the inability to celebrate. In the case of an orange status, additional details can be accessed using a confidential code sent to the priest holding the card. It is emphasized by Msgr. Joly that if a priest refuses to grant access to this information, they will be unable to celebrate any sacraments.
The Bishop of Troyes acknowledges that this represents a "cultural shift within the Church" in terms of control. The previous paper celebrets were susceptible to identity fraud and potential negligence, which did occur. The new procedure, which takes only five seconds, is expected to become as natural as presenting one's healthcare card, as stated by Ambroise Laurent, deputy secretary of the CEF.