French church leaders react cautiously to report on religious symbols

Published: 2003-12-16

WARSAW, Poland (CNS) -- French church leaders have reacted cautiously to a government commission report that recommended a ban on religious symbols at public schools. "At first reading, this report seems guided by a dual concern for vigilance and hospitality, conditions which are essential for living together and social peace," Father Stanislas Lalanne, secretary-general of the French bishops' conference, said in a Dec. 12 statement. "But we need to evaluate the relevance of its propositions, and the conditions in which they'd be implemented," he said. The commission report, released Dec. 11 after 120 public hearings, said that its recommendation was based on "reconciling national unity with respect for diversity." The report recommended banning veils worn by Muslim women, Christian crosses and Jewish skullcaps in public schools.

Copyright (c) 2003 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .