On line on December 19th, 20th and 21st, an experiment from SIR Daily News in English. The service will officially start on January 9th 2006
The respect of the principle of laicity and the autonomy of the Church, the invitation to France and to the European Countries to "listen to the requests of the young" and to work hard for "the social integration of all citizens", "special attention to the institute of marriage and family, which no other form of relationships is comparable to". These is what Benedict XVI asked today to the new French Ambassador to the Holy See, Bernard Kessedjian, as he presented his credentials. The Pope gave a welcome address to the French President, Jacques Chirac, and recalled the hundredth anniversary of the Act on the Separation between Church and State. "The principle of laicity he highlighted consists in a healthy separation of powers, which is by no means an opposition and does not prevent the Church playing a more and more proactive role in social life, without intruding upon anyone’s sphere of responsibility. Such a concept must also be able to promote, above all, the autonomy of the Church in both its organisation and mission". Benedict XVI focussed above all on the hard time France has just gone through due to the outbursts of violence that took place in its suburbs, which brought to light "the deep-running discontent that society feels and that one cannot help condemning he stated but this is a message, especially from the young, which ask us to listen to their requests" and to give answers. Then, as he thanked the many foreign workers and their families who have enriched the social fabric of France, the Pope recalled the daily challenge "of experiencing the values of equality and fraternity" so that "all citizens can put in place a real common culture, the bearer of essential moral and spiritual values, while respecting any legitimate difference".
