French cardinal-designate grapples with increasingly secular France

Published: 2006-03-17

BORDEAUX, France (CNS) -- When Cardinal-designate Jean-Pierre Ricard of Bordeaux becomes a cardinal at the March 24 conclave, it will be widely seen as recognition for his efforts to grapple with the French church's challenges in an increasingly secular society. As president of the bishops' conference since 2001, the 61-year-old has set out his church's position on key issues from church-state cooperation to interfaith dialogue. He also has reorganized church administration and pastoral work in the country, where about 80 percent of the country's more than 60 million people identify themselves as Catholic. "I don't see myself as a sociologist, historian or politician, but as a practical pastor who has to analyze the situation, work out lines of action and make decisions," the cardinal-designate told Toulouse's Catholic Institute in November. "People often ask me if I'm not distressed about the future. I answer that I'm anxious, but not distressed. I'm formed by a strong experience of the Gospel, which goes beyond figures and strategies." The cardinal-designate also said post-1960s secularization and consumer attitudes had severely eroded church and family life. As priorities, he listed rebuilding a Christian presence in culture and encouraging priestly vocations and greater lay responsibility.

Copyright (c) 2006 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 The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in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 .