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People with no documents
at the Mosque
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Usually, they invite themselves to churches.
This time, they chose to go to the Grand Mosque of Paris.
After obtaining the support of the Christian communities (Catholic,
Protestant and Orthodox) they now ask for the support of the
Moslem community. The Rector of the Grand Mosque was expected
to take position on the new law on imigration. As Moslems, they
felt authorized to take this action. |
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I heard over the radio that the Mosque
was occupied. As soon as I arrived, I saw people with no documents
leaving the Mosque and grouping together near the entrance. |
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They informed me of their disappointment:
" We are welcomed better in the churches. Impossible to
meet with the Rector. It will be for tomorrow."
Police officers blocked the entrance. Impressive! An hour later,
they left and the doors of the Mosque were closed.
Later, men came to say their payers. They came up against closed
doors.
Their number was constantly increasing and became greater than
that of the people with no documents. The two groups are facing
each other.
" It's your fault if the doors are closed. Go away and they
will open the doors. You are stopping us from praying. ".
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People with no documents demonstrated
their anger: " How can you pray without showing solidarity
with your brothers. We are in danger. How can you honour God
while leaving us aside? Stop being a separate group. Conme join
us."
They raised their voices. They even came to grips. What a sad
spectacle to see believers arguing so strongly in front of a
place of worship! |
Prayer does not free one from the
tasks of this world. The human being must be first. The preference
seems to go towards worship and devotions. It is so much easier! |
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Another world ?
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At the end of the afternoon, there were a great number of
tourists in this part of the centre of Paris. They took pleasure
in going into the shops, stopping to look at the restaurant menus
and they even did not hesitate to stand in line to buy ice cream
cones. |
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In the company of a friend passing through Paris, we followed
the crowd. In front of an old church, we suddenly had the desire
to go in. It was large and we were impressed by its beauty. The
chorus was illuminated and we could hear the sounds of the organ.
On the altar, the Holy Sacrament was on display. A young priest
with an ancient cape was kneeling, accompanied by two children
in gowns. Three women were kneeling on Prie-Dieu. The church
was empty. The crowd was outside.
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After a hymn and a prayer in Latin, the priest incensed the
Holy Sacrament, put a veil on the chalice, and went up to the
altar to take the monstrance. He then made a wide gesture of
blessing facing an empty nave. The people were elsewhere.
Strange liturgy! An impression of being in another world. The
most important thing was to accomplish the rite with or without
people. As if the rite was enough by itself. |
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The strength of the weak
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The International Conference on Initiatives For Peace was
held in Paris on a three-day period. More than 200 organizations
from all continents have gathered to encourage us to make actions
for peace by non-violence wherever we are. |
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After a panel, I courageously went towards the stands. They
were 120 in number!
What pleasure it was to find men and woman who work in favour
of a less violent world, more just, with more solidarity and
more respect for the planet! What an abundance of initiatives!
This germination coming from the ground organizations filled
me with hope.
Going from stand to stand, my bag was getting full of books and
brochures that were handed out to me.
There was no doubt that the culture of peace by a non-violent
behaviour made way to the individuals and in the field. Without
peace, is the harmonious development of the human being, of all
human beings possible? |
Non-violence is not media friendly. We do not hear about
it in the arts. As for abolishing war, it has not yet entered
in the conscience of the human beings.
This International Conference on Initiatives for Peace made me
think of the strength of the weak. The Bible invites us to see
the inner strength of the weak: all they need is their authenticity. |
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A Pentecost meeting
In Lucerne (Switzerland), the Romero House is celebrating
its installation anniversary with 20 candles. It is named after
the Archbishop of San Salvador assassinated in 1980 while celebrating
mass. This Mission Centre has been throughout the year a place
of meeting, sharing and training open to people from all countries.
It is my third time and every time I am happy to breath the fresh
breeze.
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On this festive occasion, we are a great number. Delicious
kitchen smells come from the booths: there are specialties from
Korea, Vietnam, Indies, Brazil and Cameroon…There are interesting
panels, delightful concerts, the Ecumenical celebration brings
everyone together in communion.
During my evening speech, before an attentive audience, I was
thinking of what is often said in Taizé: " The Christ
has not come to create a new religion but to offer a communion
of love to all human beings. " |
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The Holy Spirit meets each man, each woman, in a unique way,
and he opens them up to the immensity of the world. Inner life
and human solidarity are linked. Mgr Romero lived this way. The
night before he was killed, he said to the soldiers and policemen:
" Brothers, you belong to the same people as us. You are
killing your brother peasants. " He told them to disobey
the orders to kill. |
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