Fostering dialogue” “

A whole week dedicated to the culture of encounter between thoughts, affiliations and traditions, to state that dialogue is possible; indeed, that it is a challenge to be accepted in a time of strong radicalization that is dividing France and that, unfortunately, is also degenerating into riots and urban violence. This was the central theme of the “Parvis du Coeur” (“Court of the Heart”), the special “Court of the Gentiles” which was held in Marseille from 3 to 8 June, during the week of the feast of the Sacred Heart. The event was sponsored by the French Archdiocese and the Catholic Institute of the Mediterranean, with patronage from the Pontifical Council for Culture, whose Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi led a fascinating discussion in Marseille on the theme of “humanism and religions” with philosophers Julia Kristeva and Jean-François Mattei. Sir Europe’s Maria Chiara Biagioni speaks with Monsignor Georges Pontier, Archbishop of Marseille, who in July will assume the presidency of the French Bishops’ Conference. Why did Marseille choose the title “Court of the heart” for the French edition of the Court of the Gentiles?”The title ‘Parvis du coeur’ came from the conjunction of two things: first, the initiative is part of the broader ‘court of the gentiles’, produced in collaboration with the Pontifical Council for Culture. And second, this initiative takes place in the week of the feast of the Sacred Heart, which is an important anniversary for Marseille, marking the beginning of the plague epidemic which hit the city in the eighteenth century and which has today become a sign of conjunction between the Church and society. One says ‘Parvis du coeur’ because it echoes a desire and a reality: to reach the people of today and talk to them”.What does “a city with a heart” look like?”A city with heart? Being a port overlooking the Mediterranean, Marseille is traditionally a city strongly marked by the arrival of people who were passing by and remained for good. So a tradition of hospitality built up over time, although like everywhere else, it is always a delicate dimension. But our city is made up of different peoples. In the south of France it is perhaps one of the cities most strongly marked by immigration that continues to the present day, mostly with the arrival of people from Eastern Europe”. How does this vocation for dialogue combine with the atmosphere of radicalization that is pervading France, especially on the issues of life and family?”The current situation invites us first to a conversion, which does not mean defending our ideas, but living them in depth. The first service that Christians can do to society is to bear witness with their lives to the message of the Gospel, bearer of joy and human development. It is only by truly living it that we become credible. In this way, we can take part in the debate with arguments that make people think. And if in your question you were referring to the debate on ‘mariage pour tous’ [marriage for all], I can say that it was also thanks to the Church that in recent months, both the debate and public opinion were enriched by our involvement in the concept of marriage and the rights of children. This awareness showed up later in the polls, although in the end it was not possible to influence the lawmakers”. Last night [June 4th], in Paris, there was a “politically motivated” aggression where a skinhead attacked a young far-left militant and left him brain-dead. Is the radicalization of ideas leading to urban violence?”There is a multi-faceted violence in society. Some forms of violence translate into serious crimes. In Marseille, for example, there was a drug-related murder the night before last. Extreme violence affect citizens strongly, but what is even more worrying are the petty crimes which are the unfortunate result of problems such as unemployment, causing people to fall into despair when they are no longer guaranteed a salary at the end of the month. This has been a growing problem in recent years, even in the last few months. We ourselves are committed to finding solutions or at least to accompany this reality. Violence, however, is never the answer. That is a message we are trying to get across, especially where people are strongly destabilized, restless, living in fear, losing their sense of dignity and respect for other human beings”.What is the vocation of Christians?”Who are we as Christians? Men who favor dialogue, encounter, respect. These values are important today in an increasingly radicalized society where there are some who unfortunately do not hesitate to embark on paths of violence to express themselves. It is vital to promote dialogue because as one gets to know another, there is respect”.