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- Three questions….to
Jacques Gaillot
The centenary of the 1905 Law of separation
between Church and State has been discretely celebrated in France.
Some have reservation about it… and want to modify this
law. What do you think?
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- This law has been of great help
for the Catholic Church. Let us keep it. What does the law say?
" The Republic is responsible for the liberty of conscience.
It protects the freedom of worship. It does not recognize neither
employ nor finance any religion"
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We should add that the State and the city councils are responsible
for the maintenance of the cathedrals and churches that belong
to the State. Since one century this is very valuable!
Depending on the circumstances, the application of the law has
been relatively amenable.
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The Catholic Church took a long time
to be used to "laicity". It is like the story of an
old couple with dangerous liaisons. Today they respect and appreciate
each other. |
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The new questions come from Islam.
Is the Islam of France compatible with laicity? It is not sure
enough to say, it is necessary to examine the facts.
It will likely take quite some time to see the separation of
the politics from the religion, the woman's status, and the marriage
laws being compatible with the values of the Republic. It is
a gamble.
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- At the end of the year, it is
time for an evaluation of the last twelve months. What do you
retain?
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- I will retain three events that
deserve careful thought.
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Several and devastating hurricanes occurred
with a rare violence. There will be more due to the global warming.
We have a responsibility. The future of our planet is ours. We
have to urgently change our practice and our way of living. |
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The wall of shame strongly penalizes
Palestinians. Barbed wire walls in Ceuta and Melilla were at
the origin of a terrible human drama. As if walls and enclosures
can be sufficient in the long run to protect from humans! They
have no future. One day they will have to be destroyed. It would
be better to built bridges than walls that separate. |
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The suburban revolt in France is a strong
signal for a society that ignores their inhabitants. Calm has
return but not peace. Order is back but without justice. There
is no future without the youth. |
What are your wishes for the readers
of Partenia?
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Peace, a peaceful Christmas. |
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Perhaps you heard what happened in the refugee camp of Jenin?
Ahmed, a 12 years old Palestinian, was playing in the courtyard
of his home with gifts that he received for the end of Ramadan.
By mistake Israeli soldiers took him as a target. He died in
the hospital. His parents wanted to make a gift of their son's
organs. "We want to address a message of peace to the Israeli
society. The soldiers killed our son who was in good health.
We want to give these organs to those who need them" Said
his father.
And his mother added: "The receiver can be Palestinian or
Israeli, it is not a problem for us. Two Jewish children and
a young Druze girl received the lungs, the liver and the heart
of Ahmed.
- That gives us hope.
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- Merry
Christmas and
- Happy
New Year.
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(Interviewed by Olivier Galzi)
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