The “terrible confession” by Abbé Saunière (free priest) to Abbé Rivière on his deathbed on 17 January 1917 was only a myth that was only first devised in the book by Gérard de Sède, “L'Or de Rennes” (1967). The Esperaza Mystification is only another extension of mythography that has been applied by the believers.

Quoting the testimony of Monsignor Boyer from L’Indépendant, dated 9 December 1967:

“Page 56: It is inconceivable that Saunière received the sacraments two days after his death. And the statement that the dear old Abbé Rivière, curé of Espéraza, who died in 1929, and who was Dean of Coursan when I knew him, never smiled again after the death of Saunière at which he had administered the sacraments, is very far from the truth, as I myself saw him laughing his head off on more than one occasion.”