I am surprised by Jean-Noël Jeanneney’s remarks concerning the presence of the President of the Republic at the mass [celebrated by Pope Francis] at the Stade-Vélodrome. First of all, referring to Clemenceau does not seem adequate to argue about a situation that today cannot be compared to the beginning of the previous century. Minds and the understanding of facts are no longer the same. Comparing from the time of General de Gaulle is already more understandable for our contemporaries.
But let’s not take advantage of this event to rekindle controversies between supporters of firm secularism and supporters of a more open secularism: this sufficiently says how difficult it is to talk about it, each seeming to have their own conception of secularism. In this case, our country is not in danger and neither is the Republic.
Reading the number of violations of this secularism that Jean-Noël Jeanneney claims, we see clearly that this list is not exhaustive. The presence of the President of the Republic in these circumstances only seems to find favor in the eyes of the author when the honored person is dead. I remember this failed gesture by President Macron in front of Johnny Halliday’s coffin, when when he was about to bless it with the bottle brush, he changed his mind and put his hands on the coffin.
If Jacques Chirac found favor in the eyes of Jean-Noël Jeanneney during the celebrations led by Pope John Paul II for the anniversary of the baptism of Clovis, here he is criticized further on the subject of a mass in front of Notre-Dame. Communion means “putting together”, “union with”. Without its purely Christian or spiritual aspect, the President of the Republic can communicate well with his people in particular moments, without making it a habit of course; in any case, we readily borrow the word communion or high mass during sporting events or in the stadiums, cathedrals of modern times.
Our Muslim friends can legitimately ask questions, as Jean-Noël Jeanneney points out. As far as I know, there are heads of state who go to Friday prayers in mosques, even though their country happens to be a secular republic!
Finally, Jean-Noël Jeanneney does not honor his arguments by suggesting that Brigitte Macron go to the mass celebrated by the Pope in place of her husband! It is showing little regard for our first lady to constrain her to this extent, and even less respect her status as a woman who would be asked to carry out a task for which she was not elected.
Yves Scalabrino, Monéteau (Yonne)