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Cardinal François Bustillo, Bishop of Ajaccio (Corsica), standing at almost 6 feet 7 inches tall, readily admits that he’s naturally “optimistic and full of hope.” But he too is immersed in the “continuous cacophony of bad news” that buzzes constantly in society. Fiercely convinced that society is better than that, that it deserves to be happy and to know the face of Christ, he published a book, “Réparation,” on September 10.
“A better society is possible,” says the Franciscan. “We must repair what has been broken.”
Aleteia spoke with him about his hope. (Interview edited for length and clarity.)
Think before reacting
Aleteia: You strongly criticize the “reign of suspicion” and the “virtual court” of social media, which turn everything into a “pretext for attack” and encourages “media lynching.” What concrete steps can the faithful take to protect themselves from these destructive dynamics and transform these spaces into places of constructive dialogue?
Cardinal François Bustillo: When I use these expressions, which are deliberately a little provocative, my goal is to awaken consciences. When I wrote them, I said to myself: On social media and in the traditional media, we often lack compassion. Yet, at the beginning of Mass, we all say, “Lord, have mercy.” How, then, can we move from a society perceived as merciless to a society of compassion and love?
We live in a society where acts of violence and harshness are on the rise, where people judge without having all the facts or arguments at their disposal. It’s essential to take a step back, to cultivate a certain modesty, and to evaluate carefully before speaking out.
We Christians can offer this perspective, following the example of the monastic tradition: valuing silence, detaching ourselves from immediate emotions, avoiding impulsive reactions, and seeking the right words to say.
Brotherhood and appreciation for differences
You refer to a “declining fraternity” and “humanity in exile,” particularly through the rise of individualism, where everyone wants to “reign in their own kingdom.” How can the Church help individuals to rebuild a sense of community and interdependence?
Cardinal Bustillo: Sometimes, when we criticize society, it’s not to destroy it but to help it give the best of itself. The real challenge comes from the lack of brotherhood among us. We proclaim great values, but in reality, we can be harsh, indifferent, selfish, and individualistic.
This is not a bleak picture, but a lucid observation. However, these attitudes can be transformed by positive behaviors inspired by the Gospel.
What does this mean in concrete terms?
Cardinal Bustillo: The Church isn’t perfect: Its organization, structures, and policies can be improved, but that’s not the essential point. The soul of the Church is the Gospel, it is Christ.
Today, the immense success of books on happiness, joy, and personal development shows a thirst for hope. To move from “me” to “us,” we must see others not as a threat, but as a gift.
This requires an inner conversion: learning to see difference as a source of richness. This path calms our approach and pushes us toward encounter.
Today's society seems to be going through a deep crisis...
Cardinal Bustillo: Life has always been marked by crises, from birth to death. A crisis is not a blockage, but a stimulus. Crises push us to invent, to seek authenticity, truth, and goodness.
Today, we delegate too much to our political and financial leaders. But those in power must also draw on the unique genius of each area of society: philosophy, religion, sports, culture, art, and associations. Every citizen can contribute to the common good according to their talents.
Monastic values for everyday life
Faced with a society full of noise and focused on efficiency and speed, you advocate “recollection and silence as acts of resistance.” How can these practices, often associated with monastic life, be integrated into everyday life without cutting ourselves off from the world?
Cardinal Bustillo: You might think that I’m recommending monastic life! But I’m simply proposing that we rediscover monastic values that are adapted to everyday life. Our pace is frenetic, and our attention is constantly being solicited. But without rest, without silence, how can we reflect and discern?
It’s not a question of idleness, but of finding moments of pause. The monastic tradition values silence and recollection. Today, we’re pushed to react immediately: “Are you for or against this? Do you like it or not?”
However, everyone can organize their time to preserve moments of calm. This could be meditation, a visit to a church or monastery, or a time of reflection. These breaks repair our inner selves, which have been damaged by an overstimulated exterior.
In order to discern accurately, it’s vital not to live solely according to the logic of power, having, and doing, but also to take care of being. And it is in silence that we find our deepest identity.
Loving enemies and speaking of what is good
“Love of enemies” is presented as the heart of Christ's “revolution.” It is a “supernatural” path that requires “inner work of liberation.” What are the keys to embarking on this difficult path that pushes us to “understand” rather than “mock, cry, or hate”?
Cardinal Bustillo: Loving our enemy is Christ's most powerful and most difficult teaching. It’s not just a matter of enduring or forgetting, but of actively loving. This is the only way to break with the logic of revenge and violence. Loving one's enemy is not natural, but it is a path.
Christ doesn’t ask for immediate results, but for an inner openness so that our heart doesn’t remain imprisoned by the evil we’ve received. Through forgiveness and love—the two lungs of the Christian—we breathe again. Without this effort, pain imprisons us and leaves us in darkness. With forgiveness and love, we move toward inner freedom.
Your book concludes with a call for “benediction, the ultimate word against cursing.” How can our readers become artisans of this “valley of benediction”?
Cardinal Bustillo: We do not bless out of naivety or idealism. Too often, benediction has been reduced to a simple liturgical gesture. But benediction means speaking well of something. In a society quick to denounce and criticize, it’s essential that voices be raised to recognize what is beautiful and good.
We often say, “I say what I think,” but rarely do we use this justification to express something positive. Yet benediction is precisely that: bearing witness to what is beautiful, moving, and constructive. It means learning to celebrate what deserves to be recognized, and thus sowing life and hope.
