France: The diocese of Auch finances the reconstruction of a mosque
The diocese of Auch, in the southwest of France, has offered 5,000 euros for the reconstruction of a mosque destroyed by arson on August 22, 2015.
"Charity knows no bounds," wrote Archbishop Maurice Gardès, archbishop of Auch, when he announced this financial move in his latest diocesan bulletin, republished by Famille Chrétienne on October 13. "This donation is a way of showing our solidarity towards the Muslim community in our midst, but also of firmly condemning this criminal act," explained Fr. Christian Delarbre, Vicar General, to the Catholic weekly.
According to Famille Chrétienne, "this donation has provoked criticism and misunderstanding within the diocese. Some consider that the money from the parish tithes should go to works of the Church. Others point out the danger of confusion and relativism." Such is the case for Annie Laurent, a specialist on Islam who was questioned for the same article. She voiced her astonishment at this funding since "the Koranic message aims at discrediting the great Christian mysteries of the Incarnation, the Trinity, the Redemption, the Resurrection of Jesus, etc."
(sources: apic/famillechretienne – DICI no.323 Oct. 23, 2015)
