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In France, left-wing, right-wing and far-right-wing political parties are beginning the European election campaign by fighting over the slogan ‘A Europe that protects’. In the midst of an economic crisis, this is precisely what the French expect of Europe. What is more astonishing, and more distressing, is that everybody always seems to jump on the bandwagon and make ‘Brussels’ the scapegoat for all our ills, whether real or imaginary. All those who are having a good laugh at the commotion surrounding the composition of rosé wine draw the same conclusion: ‘Why on earth is the EU concerned with such trivial matters, rather than focusing on what is important?’
The most famous case that comes to mind and is being talked about once more is the European Regulation on the manufacture of cheeses made from raw milk. Seventeen years later, Charles Pasqua’s impressive diatribe still strikes fear into the hearts of the weak-minded. What! The technocrats in Brussels think that they can teach our fine producers how to make Vacherin cheese? Bellow, you cattle, ring those bells! What bee was in those penpushers’ bonnet? Quite simply … the representatives of French producers. For a cheese made from raw milk that has been poorly manufactured could cause the dreadful infection known as listeriosis, a potentially deadly disease which still occasionally occurs in humans. Our European partners seized upon this pretext to ban imports of these French cheeses. The only way to appease them was to convert the French rules on the manufacture of cheeses made from raw milk into an EU regulation. This was done, allowing our farmers to expand their client base, much to the satisfaction of producers, consumers, our trade balance … and anti-European rabble-rousers.
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‘Bishop X is wrong to finger the condom…’ This amusing comment made by French politician, André Santini, when speaking on the subject some years ago now, is the most fitting response to the remarks made this week by the Pope on his arrival in Africa.
The only thing is, it is getting to be a bit much.
In his remarkably moving memoirs, Jean-René Etchegaray recalls the enthusiasm with which the younger Catholic generation had welcomed the Second Vatican Council (Vatican II): in one fell swoop, the Church caught up on lost time and embraced the 20th century. It focused on issues such as its Jewish roots and its relations with other religions, while placing emphasis on peace among nations and respect among peoples; it recognised the value of a social market economy and defended freedom against totalitarianism; it also undertook a revision of the liturgy and the sacraments; finally, it sought to convey the Gospel message that no one has summed up better than St Augustine: ‘Love, and do what you want!’ Ever since, throughout the world, countless unnamed clergy and lay people alike are showing us, by their example, the very best of their faith.
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« Mgr X se trompe, quand il met le préservatif à l’index … » L’humour d’André Santini, qui s’exprimait en l’espèce il y a déjà quelques années, est le meilleur commentaire que l’on puisse faire sur les propos tenus cette semaine par le Pape à son arrivée en Afrique.
Seulement, ça commence à faire beaucoup.
Dans ses Mémoires bouleversantes, Jean-René Etchegaray rappelle l’enthousiasme avec lequel la jeune génération catholique avait vécu le concile Vatican II : d’un seul coup, l’Eglise rattrapait le temps perdu et épousait son siècle. Sur ses racines juives, et les relations avec les autres religions. Sur la paix entre les nations, et le respect entre les peuples. Sur l’économie sociale de marché. Sur la liberté contre le totalitarisme. Sur la modernisation de la liturgie et des sacrements. Et finalement, sur le message de l’Evangile, que nul n’a mieux résumé que Saint Augustin : « Aime, et fais ce que tu veux ! » Depuis, sur tous les continents, clercs ou laïcs, d’innombrables anonymes nous donnent, par leur exemple, le meilleur de la foi.
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