Gaia Instead of the Cross --- Praying to Mother Earth?

 (Paris) A "Christian Ecological meeting"  took place from 28-30th August  in the city of Saint Etienne,  diocesan seat of the French Diocese, whose subjects revolved around the earth and the Eco-Encyclical  Laudato Si  by Pope Francis.   The event was organized by  the Diocese of Saint Etienne, the church newspaper La Vie, the Catholic establishment Service National Famille et Societé and the French Bishops' Conference.  The central theme was "Ecological Repentance," said Riposte Catholique.

Socialism was prominent around the  "Ecological Gathering:"  the former Minister  and current  President of the party Rassemblement citoyen-Cap21, a party reestablishment of Socialists, Greens and left-wing liberals of 2014 for "ecology, humanism and participatory democracy"; Jo Spiegel, Mayor of Kingersheim in Alsace and President of the Metropolitan Region Rhin-Rhone; Benoit Leclair, Vice President of the Rhone-Alpes region, and energy and climate change spokesman of the French countryside; or the militant eco-activist and left globalization opponent Genevieve Azam, who was the meeting's head.

Group dynamics, prominence and left critique of globalization

Bishop Lebrun

The program looked like a nostalgic celebration of  '68: there were endless teach-ins in many circles of chairs, collages, painting, crafts, group dynamic "processes", interreligious elements, much left critique of globalization for a "new world". The central word, "Ecological Repentance", was taken from Pope Francis' Eco Encyclical.

On Sunday, August 30,  as part of  the "Ecological Assembly" a Holy Mass which included liturgically  foreign elements. In addition to  Bishop Dominique Lebrun, several priests took part.   Instead of the cross a home-made globe was plaed in the center, around which all gathered in  a circle, including bishop and priests. Bishop Dominique Lebrun stood with Mitre, Crosier and chasuble, as well as  priests with chasubles, around the globe.The priest pictured right is holding a missal to hand.

Was Gaia, Mother Earth worshiped on Sunday, August 30 in Saint Etienne?  Was this dubious liturgy Bishop Lebrun's parting gift to the diocese of St. Etienne? 

Bishop Lebrun was appointed by Pope Francis archbishop of Rouen and Primate of Normandy last 10 July. The Diocese of Saint Etienne is currently  vacant.

Text: Giuseppe Nardi
Image: Riposte Catholique

Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com

ink to Katholisches...

AMDG