50 days that led Marine Rosset to resign

An almost unanimous election. On June 6, the scouts and guide of France (SGDF) were delighted to have brought Rosset to their marine head, by 22 votes out of 24. At 39, this longtime member of the Catholic Youth Movement was already the vice-president. The ballot therefore seemed to be only a formality.

Quickly, however, the controversy rises. Marine Rosset lives as a couple with another woman and, together, they raise a child. This situation displeases some, which note the gap with the position of the church. Another disagreement: in 2024, as part of a political campaign, Marine Rosset spoke in favor of abortion.

And this is the second part of the controversy. The new leadership of the SGDF is strongly engaged in the Socialist Party. After the dissolution of the National Assembly, she presented herself in the colors of the new Popular Front. If participation in the life of society is encouraged by scouting, can the president of the movement have a partisan commitment?

As the pilgrim has reconstructed, the board of directors had been warned of the risk of shaking from the election day. “I am not in favor of naval candidacy,” said Father Xavier de Verchère that day. SGDF chaplain general, his voice was only advisory.

In the media, on social networks and within the movement, criticisms are quickly, especially in far-right circles, but also beyond. On July 9, a letter was sent to local spiritual chaplains and accompanists. According to a source close to the file, the missive has aroused “a lot of returns reinforcing the position of the chaplain general. »»

Unexpected legislative

Faced with dissatisfaction, a videoconferencing is organized on July 15 between the president of the movement, the chaplain general and the national chaplains. “Marine Rosset heard anger and misunderstanding,” greets one of the participants. In parallel, various local actors from SGDFs expressed their disapproval, pointing to the contradiction between the personal life of Marine Rosset and the Catholic doctrine. Also emphasizing the incompatibility of his political commitment with his functions.

This last question will become more critical due to a peripheral event heavy with consequences. On July 11, the Constitutional Council canceled the election of Jean Laussucq, deputy in the district where Marine Rosset presented himself in June 2024. Arriving at the head of the SGDF, the thirty -something committed not to run for national political mandates. Was she going to come back to her decision? Questioned by The pilgrim On the intentions of its president, the movement was not a measure to provide the answer.

Summer camps are in full swing. At the end of July, during a large rally in Jambville (Yvelines), Marine Rosset several times meets Mgr Loïc Lagadec, bishop accompanying Scouting, the father of Verchère and other members of the board of directors. His resignation is envisaged. But in order not to disturb the camp, any announcement is then excluded.

“I have become the object of a hatred”

It was finally ten days later that Marine Rosset announced her decision, in an interview with our colleague The cross*. “The situation was untenable,” she admits. (…) Some of my positions were associated with those of the movement. The media coverage was very strong, I became the subject of a hatred. »»

From this tumultuous episode, the SGDF office wants to learn from lessons. “We retain the need to reassure around the Catholic identity of the movement,” says Quentin Chaix, spokesperson. We will have to reaffirm an ambitious project that does not let go: neither on the ambition of a Catholic spirituality, nor on the unconditional reception of all. »»

*Edited by the Bayard group, like the pilgrim