The Forums of the Centre Sèvres in Paris

On January 18, the evening of the "Forums du Centre Sèvres" provided an opportunity to discover the various courses and conferences, to taste Ignatian spirituality, and to share a solidarity meal. The Forums provided also a unique opportunity to listen to a great witness of the Church of Algeria, Mgr Jean-Paul Vesco (Bishop of Oran), on the theme "Witnesses of Christ in the Land of Islam", after the beatification of the 19 martyrs of Algeria. 

Bishop Vesco answered the questions prepared by the students of the Centre Sèvres: What are the reality and missions of the Catholic Church in Algeria today? How is the Church present among young Algerians? Who are the 19 martyrs of Algeria?

The Beatification has reopened roads where history has been on the sidelines

To hear Bishop Jean-Paul Vesco recount the beatification of the nineteen martyrs of Algeria filled me with joy and hope - and I am not the only one! - because he showed how an event could suddenly reopen paths, where history seemed to be on the sidelines. What produces this miraculous effect (a term used by Bishop Vesco)?

Perhaps the most striking experience is to find oneself, as happened to her on the very day of the beatification ceremony, next to people from very different backgrounds, who are there as part of their duties, and to feel that deep down, something holds us very close. As if all the clothing and equipment, although useful to enter into a relationship, were completely superfluous at that time. Perhaps because what can unite us becomes sensitive, this capacity to receive the other with happiness and to let oneself be invited to him, in response to a call that exceeds us all but is clearly heard. In these moments, the meeting of all humanity beyond all that separates and tears it apart, seems to be within reach: fraternity is so simple, how can we not consent to it?

Refuse to give in to fear; keep the path of fraternity open

The nineteen martyrs, like all those who died in Algeria refusing to give in to fear, are remarkable guides to this essential. It is undoubtedly to them that we owe it to them to have kept the path of fraternity open when everything was getting complicated.

All this was contained in the joy of the participants, that of the celebration of the beatification in Oran, and that which Bishop Vesco communicated to us. But - since we are at the Centre Sèvres - the studies in theology and philosophy, what are they, if not the deployment of this joy when it touches the intelligence?

Etienne Grieu, sj
President of the Centre Sèvres - Jesuit Faculties of Paris

To know more about it: Testimony and video of the conference (1h40)