Pope Francis has pleaded for a secularism that is not “ static and frozen », Sunday in Corsica, a French island in the Mediterranean where he is making a quick visit.
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Speaking at a congress on popular piety in the Mediterranean on the sidelines of his visit to Corsica, the pope defended “ a concept of secularism which is not static and fixed, but evolving and dynamic “. A secularism “ able to adapt to different or unforeseen situations, and to promote constant cooperation between civil and ecclesiastical authorities for the good of the whole community, each remaining within the limits of its competence and space “, he told the Ajaccio Convention Centerin the presence of religious people and theologians.
The pope recognized that faith and practice are in decline in Europe, with Corsica having 80% Catholics for 350,000 inhabitants, according to the Vatican. “ Today, especially in European countries, the question of God seems to be fading “, he admitted, warning however against analyzes ” hasty » of this decline and the “ ideological judgments which sometimes oppose, even today, Christian culture and secular culture “.
A concept enshrined in the French Constitution, secularism gives rise to passionate debates in France, between supporters of a “liberal” secularism where everyone can assert their freedom of conscience as long as this does not threaten the freedom of others, and supporters of a “universalist” secularism aiming to emancipate the individual from religious narratives. The “liberal” vision is regularly accused of giving in to communitarianism, the “universalist” vision being criticized by some as a false face of Islamophobia.
A mass in the afternoon
While he also rejoiced at the vigor of popular piety in the Mediterranean, the Pope was alarmed by “ risk » let it be « contaminated » by “ fatalistic or superstitious beliefs ” Or ” exploited by groups who intend to strengthen their identity in a polemical manner, by fueling particularisms, oppositions, exclusionary attitudes “.
In Corsica, a new far-right nationalist movement, Mossa Palatina, prides itself on “ reaffirm the primacy of Catholicism » and assures that “ Corsica will never be Lampedusa », this Italian island where many migrants who have crossed the Mediterranean disembark. A speech that is the opposite of that of the Pope, who defends the reception of migrants.
The Pope must deliver a second speech at the cathedral from 11:20 a.m. then he will participate in a mass at 3:30 p.m., which should bring together 9,000 people at the Casone green theater. He will leave shortly after 6 p.m., according to the Holy See, after an interview at the airport with Emmanuel Macron.
Yellow and white banners (the papal colors) in the streets, the facade of the Notre-Dame de l’Assomption cathedral repainted, massive parking bans, 2,200 reinforcements deployed for security: the city had prepared urgently, after the late confirmation, at the end of November, of this visit.