[War] France/Holy See: "Monsieur le Cardinal"

[John Penta]

<OOC: Posting this on Bryan's behalf since his connection is
pay-by-the-minute or something while he's in DC.>
"Monsieur le Cardinal"
President Adrien Durant
French Republic
4 February 2013
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Adrien was quickly growing tired of one of Paris's most famous
landmarks. He was visiting the Notre Dame de Paris so often, even
dreaming about it, that he was sure he would never forget all the
cherubs, saints, sinners and servants carved into its edifice for the
rest of his days. As much as he hated it, he now found himself
standing before the cathedral once again.

His presidential security were firmly but gently dealing with the
tourists crowded around the landmark, and he silently prayed to
himself as he passed a few mourners that they wouldn't start booing
him. They weren't unaware of his presence but they seemed to be
merciful today and let him pass without incident.

Inside it only took a few moments for Monsignor Souvette to appear
from one of the many doors marked "Private." Claude had insisted on
calling ahead to the cathedral to give the Cardinal-Archbishop some
small advanced notice as a courtesy.

"Monsignor Souvette, it's a pleasure to see you again," Adrien said,
taking the priest's hand firmly in his own.

"Likewise, President Durant. The Cardinal-Archbishop is waiting;
please follow me, I would not want to keep either one of you waiting
any longer than necessary," Monsignor Souvette said

=-=-=

Andre Cardinal Vingt-Trois was standing in the small
office-cum-sacristy reserved for the Archbishop's use in the
Cathedral; he had been working on some papers, but when he'd been
informed the President was coming, the paperwork went away.

"I apologize for the short notice of my visit, Monsieur le Cardinal,
but the nature of my office keeps things quite dynamic," Adrien said,
using the title for the Cardinal-Archbishop customarily used only by
kings and the Pope. He knew it would probably irritate the man to no
end but Adrien felt the decadence and bulky hierarchy of the Church
were two of the least endearing things about it. "I know my personal
relationship with the Church doesn't make this situation easy, but I
appreciate the assistance you and the Church have provided with the
investigation, both officially and personally."

In truth, Vingt-Trois hardly cared - Durant was hardly as
anti-clerical as, say, the Socialists, and that was what counted.
"You're welcome; If we can be of any further assistance in that
regard, let us know. How is it proceeding?"

"It's proceeding but in what direction I can't really say," Adrien
replied, trying to be as evasive as possible. He admired the
Cardinal-Archbishop for his charity work and involvement in the
community but Durant would be about the last person on Earth to give
up sensitive intelligence to the Church. "But for once the terror
attack itself isn't the reason for my visit. I'm here out of necessity
to discuss something that I imagine neither one of us would like to
address and that’s laïcité."

Adrien allowed the word to roll off his tongue like a dead weight,
raising the level of tension in the room considerably. Laïcité had
been one of the biggest points of contention between the State, the
People and the Church for decades, and Adrien felt it was increasingly
under attack not only through changes in culture and tradition but
also through the actions of the Church itself.

That, indeed, was definitely when the room started to feel
far...chillier. "Oh?" Vingt-Trois asked simply. He'd let Durant bring
out precisely what the issue was, though he could guess.

"It's not a favourite subject of mine but it's becoming increasingly obvious
that it's a subject which must be addressed. And soon, if the Republic is to
remain intact, particularly the Parisian suburbs," Durant said. "This
doesn't have so much to do with the Church itself as it does with the
changes in French society. Our Muslim community is constantly agitating
about a greater role for religion in public life, much to the consternation
of those who support the laïcité policy.

"I support laïcité, Monsieur le Cardinal, and I make no apology for it. It's
all well and good to share that in confidence with you but I'm not in a
position to do as I wish, nor was I elected to do so. I recognize that
segments of society - Muslim, Christian, Jewish, what have you - are
increasingly calling for a relaxing of laïcité. And I am willing to discuss
the possibility, especially as it relates to this recent terrorism business
and my proposed response to it."

"Go on..." Vingt-Trois listened attentively.

"I am recalling our ambassador to Algeria to head up a new body, the
President's Council on Culture, Religion and Immigration, or the CCRI. He
has a lot of diplomatic experience with our Arab friends, and he is an
Algerian born French citizen himself. I intend for the body to take a look
at a number of policies and make comprehensive recommendations on improving
the lot of the immigrant community in France in order to tackle the root
causes of dissent and terrorism. I don't believe the fundamentalists living
in our communities are inherently fundamentalists or rabble rousers. Most of
them are youth that have no other opportunities available to them, and I
intend to reverse that trend.

"But on a broader level, I expect CCRI to include the laïcité policy in its
discussions. Recently we haven't seen eye-to-eye on the Church's involvement
in public life, but then again I think the Church and State have been at
odds over the issue since the inception of laïcité. My hope is that the
Church won't see this as an opportunity to forcefully reassert itself into
public life and erode the secular foundations of the Republic."

A raised eyebrow. "Who called whom 'opportunistic' for simply doing
what we were set up to do?" Vingt-Trois began, then stopped himself.
"Perhaps that was a bit much; My apologies, Monsieur le President. I'm
certain in my hope that that comment wasn't meant to be taken as 'Le
Figaro' broadcast it, but I'd be wrong if I said that that was not how
it came across - and, to be frank, after the volume of comments we
receive daily lambasting us for supporting the Government in
encouraging civil peace, it felt like a backstab. As if preaching the
Gospel was now to be regarded as something political. But in any case:
if you expect the Church to become quietist and simply cede the public
square, you misinterpret entirely how we, or indeed any institution of
faith that actually believes in what it preaches, view the public
debate. And that sounds like what you're trying to do, at first
glance: To co-opt the religious communities of the Republic into being
quiet supporters of government policy, rather than the full
participants we are entitled to be in any democracy. We are not the
Church of 1789 or even of the 'Syllabus of Errors'. We do not want
political power in that way. But do not think that we will shirk from
'calling it as we see it', as the Americans say - even, perhaps
especially, when that might not be what the political class wants to
hear."

Durant actually smiled and waved his hand, as if to dismiss the
Cardinal-Archbishop's concerns. "I do not mean to dismiss the Church
and its role in the life of an individual outright, and I would like
to avoid any public clash of Church and State interests. My concern is
that a loosening of laïcité will lead to the same sort of Christian
fundamentalism, Christian evangelicalism that is seen in the United
States, along with all the political involvement that comes with it.
"We have enough problems with fundamentalism in France. I am hoping
that a loosening in laïcité coupled with a crack down on external
influences directing peaceful Muslim Frenchman toward fundamentalism
will reduce the tension, strife and terrorism that we're experiencing
as a result of it. I would truly hate to see that a reduction in
Muslim fundamentalism would lead to a rise in Christian
fundamentalism."

"Usually," the Cardinal noted with raised eyebrows, "and no offense
meant to them, but it's usually the Protestants you have to worry
about on that score, not the Catholics. Unlike most Protestant
churches, after all, canon law does helpfully ban the presbyterate and
episcopate from civil offices. No, we've tried that. As American
Protestants are learning...Anything but the most targeted comments on
political issues doesn't tend to turn out well for Church or State.
No; where the state is intervening in issues of life or the family,
we'll speak up. But unlike the evangelicals, we don't particularly
care about tax policy, for example. I can't give any guarantees on how
the Protestants will deal with your ideas, only the Church itself -
and while I will need to consult with Rome, I think that if you give
us a fair hearing, we can at least get the hierarchy to be satisfied
with a loosening. Those in the pews, you'll have to convince
yourself."

Durant smiled and opened his hands in a gesture of acceptance and
peace. "Then I suppose we're in agreement on the fundamental issue
here. I can't guarantee that there will be any wide-reaching changes
in laïcité but I think it is necessary to address it to some extent.
We'll be bringing in a number of civil and religious leaders to work
on the President's Council on Culture, Religion and Immigration - as
far as that goes, I'd like you to consider serving on it. The primary
goal is to reduce growing fundamentalism but I think there are
stakeholders from all walks of life in France, including the Church."

"I think I could agree to that. I'll need to clear it with the Nuncio
in case there are any issues with canon 285, but I'm confident he'll
agree," Vingt-Trois noted. "Now, moving away from politics...Given the
hell which has brought you to the Cathedral so often, how are you
doing?"

The question caught Adrien so off guard that he chuckled.
"Well...stressed. Managing this business over Notre Dame has been
keeping me up at night. You expect to face great trials and
tribulations as a leader but no one ever discusses the psychological
side-effects. There's so much that needs to be addressed that others
have ignored....it can sometimes shake your faith in the abilities of
the State.

"My children are well, although I cannot afford the time to spend with
them that I'd like. Divorce is a lonely existence, especially in the
late evenings when it's you, a cup of coffee and a stack of policy
recommendations."

That got a nod. "The State, Monsieur le President...Is more human than
your predecessors ever admitted, just as the Church can sometimes be
more human than I or my brother priests and bishops ever like to admit
to ourselves. I hardly believe as the Americans, or at least the loud
and noisy ones, do, that the State is the enemy, or that it can do no
right; far from it on either point. But if you pile all of your trust
into human institutions, you have to be ready to face the fact that
they will fail. Sometimes quite spectacularly.

"So far as your divorce goes...Yes, I've heard that from many, many
divorcees. Not so much the policy part, but the loneliness.
I've...come to understand both sides, so far as the Church's handling
of the matter goes. On the one hand, divorce even at its easiest is
not something that should ever be encouraged, but, at the same
time...I can understand why people would then remarry.

"When it comes to your children? I've spoken to so many children of
divorce over the years. Nine times out of ten, they don't need either
parent hovering over them. They just need to know that they're
available."

The Cardinal paused then. His next words were much softer. "As for
myself...I can deal with the stress of the work. Governing the
archdiocese is not so different even when chaos is spreading around
me.

"But the nightmares of the attack itself, replaying itself in my head.
Dear God, the nightmares."

Adrien shifted uncomfortably in his seat at the mention of nightmares. He
spent a few moments inspecting the floor and the intricate carving of the
chairs they were sitting in before clearing his throat. When he began to
speak, he refused to look at the Cardinal-Archbishop but stared at the floor
as if recalling some far distant memory.

"I see a girl. A Senegalese girl. I cannot help shake the feeling that she
was some childhood playmate of mine from visiting with my father in Dakar.
She is laying next to me dying, and I see her mother die. And she is asking
me why I do not help her, why I do not put a stop to the madness around us.
She knows I am the president of France, and in the mind of a child what
person can be better placed to right the wrongs of the nation than its
leader? I am completely powerless to act. I can do nothing but lay on the
cold, hard stone of the parvis until eventually I wake up..."

The president trailed off and then snapped back to the present, shaking his
head with a humble smile. "But forgive me, Monsieur le Cardinal, it must be
all the more difficult for you. I imagine you may have even knew some of the
faithful personally."

"Some of the children, yes; I'd heard their first Confessions in
October, met their parents. I thank God none of the children were even
wounded - clearly, it was either amazing luck or Our Lady's
intervention. Even the more skeptical theologians are split on the
question; the children, on the other hand? The ones who grasp how
incredibly lucky they were not to be wounded, all attribute it to Our
Lady." the Cardinal noted with a small smile. "If the circumstances
weren't so terrifying, it'd be heartwarming."

The Cardinal-Archbishop's comment made Adrien's eyes narrow slightly.
His personal interpretation of free will was quite broad – as far as
he was concerned divine intervention was limited to Creation and the
odd miracle here or there. He initially thought it was a bit
disturbing that Vingt-Trois should be so pleased at children
attributing their safety to 'Our Lady' instead of the poor aim (or
perhaps very good aim) of the terrorists, but the more he thought on
it the more he realized he probably looked and felt very much the same
after concluding a treaty negotiation with some seemingly implacable
foe.

Shaking his head with a wry smile, the French president stood up from
his seat and offered his hand to the Cardinal-Archbishop of Paris.
"Monsieur Vingt-Trois, you and I come from very different yet very
similar worlds. I'm very pleased to have stopped by. I won't go so far
as to say that the doors of the Elysee Palace are always open to the
Church, but I will say that you are personally always most welcome."

"I'll take that in the spirit it's offered, Monsieur le President,"
Vingt-Trois replied, shaking the offered hand.
==========
Actions:

1.) Offer membership on the new President's Council on Culture,
Religion and Immigration to the Cardinal-Archbishop of Paris (details
on CCRI in subsequent posts).