The Diocese of Bordeaux, France, regrets the court’s decision for the removal of an image of Our Lady from public space
Newsroom(26/1/2023 15:50, Gaudium Press) The diocese of La Rochelle, France, has issued a statement regarding the image of Our Lady that is to be removed from public space in the town of La Flotte-en-Ré.
The administrative court of Bordeaux confirmed a few weeks ago the decision for the removal of the image of the Virgin which is in public space in the small town.
The removal comes from the mobilization of the anticlerical association “Free Thought”, which opened a petition for the removal of the image because it goes against the law of secularism in the country.
In its statement, the diocese regrets the decision, describing the situation as surprising for Catholics and non-Catholics alike, and evoking the “sectarianism of the association’s request”.
The diocese told the Aleteia news agency that in recent days it has received many messages from various parts of the country “(reactions) that show at the same time the anger, pain and incomprehension that this decision raises.”
However, the diocese explained that it does not intend to further inflame the discussion. Instead, it calls for calm and invites those involved to find an “intermediate alternative.”
The diocese suggests, for example, the creation of an association to house the image of Our Lady that is to be removed.
The image of Our Lady in Flotte-en-Ré was erected as an ex-voto to the Virgin in 1945. A family decided to erect an image of Our Lady in gratitude for the return of two soldiers from the Second War, father and son.
The Free Thought Association asked for the removal of the image claiming that it violates the 1905 secularism law on the separation of Church and State.
On January 12, the administrative court of Bordeaux confirmed the initial removal decision. The mayor of the commune, Jean Paul Héraudeau, who opposes the removal of the image, said the case will be referred to the Council of State. (FM)
Compiled by Teresa Joseph
