Father Patrice Gaudin is pastor of the parish of the Risen Christ in Bondy.
The tonnage of thirty people per mass was an incomprehensible measure on the part of the government.
Take the example of Bondy.
93 nationalities and we should only accept 30 people at the church, the mosque, the synagogue!
To read also:
Pierre Manent: "A deliberate offense against the Catholic Church"
A situation misunderstood, shocking for the inhabitants of the cities who suffer more than all and ask for the comfort of their religion.
Why do cities suffer more than the rest of France?
Because they have one thing in common, whatever the nationality of origin: the populations have an active religious practice, they believe, and it is a social bond, a way of living together, the means of hope in difficult economic and family situations.
Secular France misunderstands this need for religion, it does not imagine that it is a cement of cities, a bond which respects differences.
The deprivation of worship during the first confinement was a real suffering, a feeling of abandonment and if a sign was needed, the services offered through social networks have had considerable success.
The first deconfinement went well, in scrupulous respect for health instructions and attendance at offices was dense because this social bond, this long-awaited comfort could finally be relived.
So this second confinement was and still is real suffering which is accompanied by a surplus of unemployment, uncertainties, material and family difficulties.
We open the doors to shops, fine.
We are thinking of reopening places of culture, perfect… and we are forcing believers to limit their presence in places of worship to 30 people.
It is here considered an insult.
An insult to believers
"
Misunderstanding, contempt, lack of knowledge of our practices respectful of health instructions,
..." This is what we hear in the streets of our cities after the intervention of the President of the Republic.
It is a deep dismay for some, a real anger for the others.
“
We are abandoned, we suffer more than others and our only support, our link, is our faith.
We are put out of work, families are condemned to solidarity in order to feed themselves, we are taken away from what makes our life and what is essential is our belief
”we still hear.
What sadness!
As a result, an unhealthy resignation which at one point or another will manifest itself in an anger that will be difficult to control.
Priest, rabbi, imam, all are questioned.
We must react, respond to this cry of anger which is not only that of religious leaders but of a whole population.
Segregation imposed, impossible solution
How to deal with so many practitioners, so many nationalities?
Are we going to have to choose, the good ones on one side and the bad ones on the other, to set rules according to ethnic origin, modes of practice?
We come back to times that leave a frozen memory, that of segregation.
It is impossible, it is absurd when we work every day for integration, it is humanly contrary to all practice, to the most elementary human rights.
“
Have you properly measured the scope of your words: 30 people and 93 nationalities of origin.
Mr. President of the Republic, we know that the question of the cities concerns you, it is a question of integration which cannot be solved without religions.
To read also:
Dr. Martin Kulldorff: "Containment produces devastating effects on public health in the short and long term"
Take this urgency into account, you will contribute to the much hoped-for serenity of our suburbs
”.
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