France rethinks secularism with Pope visit
by Jennifer Gold
Posted: Monday, September 15, 2008, 9:19 (BST)
The Pope's first visit to France since his election has fuelled debate on church-state relations in a country which prides itself in keeping faith and politics strictly separate.
Last Friday, President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni broke with tradition by greeting the Pope at the airport. Bucking decades of staunchly secularist presidents, lapsed Catholic Mr Sarkozy said that religious "values" should play a greater role in public life.
Mr Sarkozy previously stirred up controversy when he called for a "positive secularism" that would make more space for religion in the public realm during a visit to the Vatican last year. The separation of church and state has been enshrined in French law since 1905.
The Pope sought to quell the row during an open-air mass at Lourdes on Sunday.
"The church does not claim the state's place. She does not want to substitute it," he told pilgrims.
He added, however, that France should "bring to the fore" its Christian roots to "enable each inhabitant to better understand his country".
At least 100,000 pilgrims stood in a sodden field to hear the Pope speak on the 150th anniversary of visions of the Virgin Mary to a 14-year-old peasant girl, Bernadette Soubirous.
The Pope urged the pilgrims not to lose hope in the face of challenges.
"The power of love is stronger than the evil which threatens us," he said, later adding, "Do not allow yourselves to be discouraged by difficulties."
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Added: Saturday, September 27, 2008, 14:42 (BST)
In his address to French politicians on September 12 and comments at the Lourdes Mass, Pope Benedict expressed his concern for the poor and sick of this world. In short we are to discover, he says, “ the simplicity of our vocation.” Moreover, he wants societies to lessen the gap between the rich and poor. Unfortunately, this pope does not give his audience a good example re sensitivity to the poor. Benedict shows his love for designer sunglasses (Gucci), and everyone has seen his red Prada shoes. On special occasions he wears outfits that are trimmed with ermine, the winter white fur of the stoat (weasel family); this latter tradition originated with European royalty, aristocrats and the like. If the Vatican wants to inspire world leaders and others to be concerned for the poor, maybe they could get their front man to alter his wardrobe. Actions speak louder than words.
john kinkel, utica, michigan, USA
Added: Tuesday, September 16, 2008, 0:37 (BST)
The French president is a total sham and merely trying to garner the support of France's enormous Roman Catholic contingent. How can people believe someone like him? His life and actions to date show him to be a vacuuos fellow intent on nothing more constructive than a public career-in-the-spotlight, with little or no content to his offerings...a French version of Blair really.
What a cheek to call for 'positive secularism'... has he no history behind him?
Of course, a more constructive path should be found for the world, but those who equate God with lots-of-money have just created the impending global economic failure as much as have the greedy, and incredibly stupid, 'non-religious' people in the owlrd.
A better cry would be for some development of 'critical thinking skills' within all nations, and from the ground up, not the bottom down.
howard haighter, Sydney Australia
