BREAKING News a Beloved Catholic Priest in France has Died by Suicide - RIP Fr. Bernard Card

A priest has reportedly taken his own life in Dijon, France. Father Bernard Card, a 73-year-old Roman Catholic priest and pastor of Sainte-Chantal Church in Dijon, France, died by suicide. [1, 2, 3]
The Archbishop of Dijon, Mgr Antoine Hérouard, announced the tragic event to the diocese, expressing profound shock and sadness. [1, 2]

Key Details of the Event
Date: Father Card took his own life during the night of October 4 to 5, 2026, at the parish presbytery of Sainte-Chantal. [1, 2]
Archdiocese Response: Archbishop Hérouard described the act as "completely unexpected and difficult to understand". In an official letter, he asked for prayers for the priest's soul, his grieving family, his vicar Father Jean-Philippe Nollé, and the shocked parishioners. They have organized several prayer vigils in response[1, 2, 3]
Context: Father Card was a highly respected and well-liked pastor. The archbishop noted that Father Card had been deeply affected by the suicide of his own brother some time prior. He had also recently expressed fatigue and worry over severe daily disruptions caused by an insect infestation at the presbytery, though it hadn't initially seemed critical

The Diocese of Dijon wrote:
It was with shock and deep sadness that the Archbishop of Dijon announced yesterday (Monday) to the priests, religious, deacons and lay people in ecclesial mission the news of the tragic death of Father Bernard Card, on the night of Sunday, October 4, at the presbytery of Sainte-Chantal.
His funeral will be held on Tuesday, October 13 at 10 a.m. in the Sainte-Chantal church. Until then, prayer vigils will be organized, we will keep you informed via the article.

Prayer vigils are organized during the week; those who wish to do so can join together for these different times.

Saint Chantal Parish 

• Thursday, October 8 at 6:30 p.m. at the Sainte-Thérèse chapel in Chenôve
• Friday, October 9th at 6 p.m. in Sainte-Chantal
• Monday, October 12, from 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. in Sainte-Chantal

Parish of Saint-Denis-de-Vergy

• Monday, October 12 at 8:30 p.m. in the Saint-Denis church in Nuits-Saint-George

The funeral service will be held on Tuesday, October 13th at 10 a.m. in the Sainte-Chantal church.

Official Announcement Letter -The Archbishop of Dijon Archbishop's Office - October 5, 2026

To the Priests, Deacons, Religious Men and Women, Consecrated Persons, and Lay Ecclesial Ministers (LEME) of the Diocese of Dijon, 
Dear Friends, It is with shock and deep sadness that I inform you of the tragic death of Fr. Bernard Card last night. He ended his life at the Sainte-Chantal presbytery.
This event is completely unexpected and difficult to comprehend. To be sure, he had appeared tired to some people recently, and last week he shared with me the inconveniences caused by the presence of small insects at the presbytery, which forced him to adopt strict and burdensome daily routines. I felt this genuinely concerned him, though it did not seem dramatic at the time. Bernard had been deeply affected a while ago by the suicide of his brother. He was a pastor greatly appreciated by his parishioners, and comfortable among his fellow priests, who trusted him. Fully active in the life of the cathedral chapter, he regularly attended the canons' prayers at the archbishop's chapel and enjoyed extending those moments over a friendly coffee with the staff working in the house. He also actively participated in the meetings of the Diocesan Council for Economic Affairs (CDAE). 

 I had previously spoken with him about his upcoming 75th birthday and the possibility—to be confirmed—of continuing his ministry a bit longer. Let us entrust him to the merciful love of the Lord. Let us pray for his parishioners, stunned by this unexpected news, for Fr. Jean-Philippe Nollé, his parochial vicar, and for his family and friends left distraught by this sudden loss. The funeral for Fr. Bernard Card will take place on Tuesday, October 13, at 10:00 a.m. at Sainte-Chantal Church, the parish where he served as pastor.
Let us remain united in prayer
Warm regards, † Antoine Hérouard Archbishop of Dijon