In a recent online article by a very well-known believer in the treasure of Abbé Bérenger Saunière & Rennes-le-Château, reference was made to a letter from Abbé Rouanet to Abbé Saunière about Abbé Gaudissard, that itself was quoted from a book by Claire Corbu & Antoine Captier. The whole thing is presented in a cloak-and-dagger way that is the classic “hold-your-breath” style of the conspiracy theorist!

Here is a 90% translated transcript of the letter that is referred to. Readers may find it illuminating. Parts of the letter were unable to be translated due to the nature of the handwriting. Just some info that may be relevant, Abbé Gaudissard was a former Lazarist who was “hostile to Republican institutions”. Father Granzotto belonged to the Franciscan Order. A certain Bernadette Soubirous is considered to be one of the Saints of the Franciscans (The “Holy Cordbearer of St. Francis”).

The original letter in French, taken from Claire Corbu & Antoine Captier, “L’Héritage de l’Abbé Saunière”, pages 170-171, Éditions Bélisane, 1985 & 1995).

Bagès les flots, 22 J. [19]09 (1908 crossed out)

My dear Bérenger,

I am replying immediately to your communication. I have taken only a few moments for reflection. I assure you that your letter surprises me strangely. If I could have feared for you in the past, it was not at this particular moment. Could the death of poor Abbé Gaudissart have awakened bad memories? Perhaps the beautiful things you have done have drawn attention to you... I am searching [for a reason]... These are all questions I ask myself without being able to find a solution.

You saw me leave Villefort and you wondered why? If I left, it was because I truly wished to, and I was not forced; but who knows if I would not have been treated like you. I was suffering from the restriction of authority and the setbacks I had to endure, and so it was I myself who, several times, asked for my reassignment.

Today, I am happy for it. Do you think I did not suffer... Oh! yes, and quite cruelly – but there are necessary sufferings. Prepare yourself, dear friend, to endure them. I pity you, believe me, and I most sincerely pity Marie. The poor woman – how she is going to suffer! Have courage, dear friends; the calm will come afterward.

You ask me for a solution to the situation the Bishop has placed you in.

Must one obey? Or must one resist?

These are the two terms; there is no other way out of these two questions: either obedience or resistance. You tell me that the Bishop is standing firm in his decision and that he will admit none of your reasons. Therefore, he will not yield. So I say to you: either you can do without him, or you cannot. If you have enough...

...enough income to withdraw, take your retirement; if you do not have enough, you must resign yourself and obey.

I see no other way out, I repeat. Unfortunately, the Authority has placed itself in this alternative. Oh, how I pity you! Be strong, dear friend, and do not do anything rash. Whatever you may have said of your poor brother, keep your memory [reputation] intact. What would people not say? And believe me, I, who love you so much, would suffer cruelly from it.

Another idea occurs to me. I think that if you obeyed, you would do well; after some time, a year for example, you would tell His Lordship that you have obeyed, that you have proven yourself a good priest, and you would then take your retirement.

You have put me in the painful position of telling you this by asking what I would do in your place. I am answering with what I believe is best for you to do, but please believe that it is only the affection I have for you and for Marie that has dictated my words; you can believe that.

Try to touch the heart of your Bishop, but I believe it is useless; there is necessarily someone behind him, and the matter must have been maturely deliberated. So...

My final word is this: Be a priest.

Always in agreement, keep me informed of your decision.

Be the messenger of my best regards to Marie in these circumstances.

Rouanet
[Signature]

P.S. – Depending on what you decide, come see me, and if it is to obey, I will accompany you.

To God [Farewell], be courageous!