[1] The French Episcopal Conference had been made aware, by Archbishop Marc Lallier, of the unsatisfactory care of the people of his diocese.

The pope consulted with the papal nuncio in France, Archbishop Egano Righi, who was fully informed of the particulars.

On 3 November 1979, Pope John Paul II issued an apostolic constitution (papal bull), "Qui Divino Consilio", removing from the diocese of Besançon the territory of Belfort; the "paus de Montbéliard" in the department of Doubs; and the arondissement called "Héricourt" with the town of "Chalonvillars", to form the new diocese of Belfort-Montbéliard.

The church of Saint Christopher in the city of Belfort was designated the new cathedral, and a Chapter of canons was authorized.

[3] On 9 May 1952, the cathedral of Saint Christopher was granted the honorary title of "minor basilica" by Pope Pius XII.