Quebec: “Charter of Values” bill exacerbates national secularism

After several months of media and citizen debates, the government of Quebec tabled its bill imposing secular values November 7, 2013, before the legislature. Pauline Marois’ cabinet prepared the document, initially known as the “Charter of Values” but rebranded as “Charter Affirming the Values of Secularism and the Religious Neutrality of the State, as well as the Equality of Men and Women, and the Framing of Accommodation Requests.” The bill, which was announced by the Quebec government on September 11, would forbid the wearing of ostentatious religious symbols for any public servant or paragovernmental employee during working hours.

The bill specifies that all new public servants must conform to the legislation as soon as they are hired; they will not be allowed the one-year grace period currently planned for existing employees. The legislation could also apply to businesses, individuals or organizations who are under contract to the government or receive government subsidies. The Charter also applies to doctors, even if they are not government employees. “They are [government employees] for the purpose of the law,” stated Bernard Drainville, Quebec minister for democratic institutions. Religious health institutions may no longer be established. The Bureau of the National Assembly must decide whether members of the legislature may wear ostentatious symbols.

However, the bill will not settle the debate on the crucifix in the Salon Bleu of the National Assembly. The delegates of the political parties represented in the Bureau of the National Assembly will decide whether it may remain in its place.

The text proposed by Pauline Marois’ cabinet will have “particularly grave consequences; it represents a crucial and decisive step in the history of our people,” stated Abp. Pierre-Andre Fournier (on the picture), president of the Quebec Bishops’ Conference and archbishop of Rimouski, on November 8. He announced that the Church now wishes to participate in the debate opening in parliament. In his message he congratulated the government’s “efforts” to “establish a legal framework” for the “requests for religious accomodations;” “it is a challenge unlike any other.” In the spirit of the religious liberty promoted by Vatican Council II, Abp. Fournier believes it is “entirely reasonable to desire, in today’s social and cultural context, the secularization of the state and public institutions. We have recognized this by citing Jesus’ famous response, Return therefore unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s, and unto God that which is God’s. The concept of secularization is founded on a balanced distinction between the political and the religious domains,” he wrote, adding, however, that “the crucifix is the symbol of the ultimate act of love, that of Christ, giving His life for the salvation of the world. It is venerated by millions of Christians of all nations, and by the majority of Quebecers. It is neither a museum piece nor only a reminder of the past or a part of our heritage. It must be treated with all the respect due to a fundamental symbol of the Catholic Faith. The deputies must ensure that it is.”

When quoting Christ’s response to the Pharisees who asked whether or no they should pay the Roman tax (Matthew 22:21), Abp. Fournier omitted to point out that this answer did not establish a secular separation of Church and State, and that Caesar himself must “render unto God that which is God’s.”

The projected Charter, which has been matter for concern for the Church and for religious congregations, has also drawn fire from Quebec’s Jewish and Moslem communities. In rather less conciliatory terms than Abp. Fournier, the Quebec Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA Quebec) has expressed its “consternation” and “frustration” faced with what it qualifies as the government of Quebec’s “intolerance”.

(Sources: kipa-apic.ch – rym—radiovatican – huffingtonpost – DICI no. 285, 22/11/13)

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