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- Three questions
.to
Jacques Gaillot
For ten years now you have been preaching
in Partenia, a virtual diocese
how do you assess the situation?
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On January 13, 1996 I wrote my first
letter on the Partenia website.
To be on Internet was first a dream
for me. The dream of a child who is walking on the sand along
a beach and looks at the sea. He feels alone and weak facing
the immensity of the ocean. |
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- Suddenly was the desire to communicate
with all the people on earth wherever they are. To be on the
Internet is also an adventure, a beautiful one for me. I took
the risk to be received by men and women whose faces I don't
know.
Partenia evokes an unknown and remote country.
Partenia opens a space of freedom where you can meet and speak
to anybody just like in a public square.
During 10 years the web site has been maintained. It has been
developed and transformed. Presently it is translated into seven
languages thanks to wonderful volunteers.
How to assess it?
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A new world is under formation, beyond
boundaries of countries, cultures, religions and personal positions
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If you choose diversity you will receive
one hundred time more. |
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Hierarchical differences between humans
tend to smooth out. The distance diminishes between those who
decide and those who execute. |
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- During these ten years how will
you describe your relationship with the institution (the Church)
and do you think that your relationship with Rome is improving?
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For Rome, the Gaillot affair is closed.
It has sunk into oblivion and there is almost no relation with
Rome. The Roman forecast is: no improvement. |
For the French bishops, there has been a bright spell in 2000
with the action of the President of the Bishop Conference. But
it had no following. Each time that John-Paul II came to France
I was invited. The cardinal of Lyon asked me to preach a retreat
for the priests of his diocese. With these few exceptions, I
don't have the opportunity to meet with the bishops. My life
is elsewhere. In this aspect the forecast is: no change.
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- In another century, Partenia
was a diocese
in the desert
would you like to continue
like that or would you like that the hierarchy proposes you another
diocese in France?
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Partenia has no frontier. It gathers
women and men who are excluded and live on the fringe of society.
I have been pushed out of the institution because I was on the
side of this kind of people. I stay with them. It is my mission.
I could not have found and fulfilled it without the help of my
Church. I am fully satisfied and my heart is filled with joy. |
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(Interviewed by Olivier Galzi)
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