French cardinal opposes proposal to allow veils in state schools

Published: 2003-10-09

PARIS (CNS) -- A French cardinal said he opposed a proposed law that would allow Muslim girls to wear veils in state schools. Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger of Paris said the proposed law would violate France's secular nature. "Touching this balance would call in question something that belongs to the image of France," Cardinal Lustiger said during a late-September meeting of a government commission that was reassessing France's policy of secularism. "Instead of meddling with this historical pedestal, we should have the intelligence and realism to identify today's problems and build upon it," the cardinal said. The cardinal said Muslim immigration had become "much more massive" than expected and needed to be addressed "for the sake of future generations." He said he would oppose a law to allow Muslims to wear veils at state schools, as well as a proposed council of religious leaders to advise on secularism issues.

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