Church says ‘non’ to Charlie declaration

The French Catholic Church has declined to sign a declaration by Reporters without Borders (RSF) challenging faith groups to pledge support for free speech, writes Tom Heneghan.

RSF secretary general Christo­phe Deloire proposed the declaration after religious leaders, reacting to last month’s terrorist attack on the satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo, backed free speech but said it had to be exercised responsibly.

“This declaration seems to suspect religions of being not very active in supporting free speech, if not actually opposed to it,” said Marseille Archbishop Georges Pontier, president of the bishops’ conference.

The Church, which reiterated its support for free speech after the attack, does not sign declarations it has not helped draft, he said.

The heads of France’s main Muslim, Protestant and Buddhist groups signed the declaration. Chief Rabbi Haim Korsia said he agreed in principle to it but would not sign it unless all the other religious leaders did so.