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Pope backs Sikhs for their turban cause

("UNI," January 30, 2004)

In a rare move, the Vatican has thrown its weight
behind the Sikhs in their struggle to keep their
turbans out of a proposed French ban on all religious
apparel at public institutions in that country,
saying ''government cannot be an arbiter in any
religious matter.'' ''In other words, Governments
should respect dignity of the human person and of his
inalienable rights among which his right to adhere,
practice and propagate his religion is fundamental.

No Government should interfere with the inner core of
any religion,''the Pope has said in a message to
National Commission for Minorities Chairman Tarlochan
Singh.

His message came after Mr Singh sought his
intervention regarding the French Sikhs protest
against a possible ban on their turbans considered
central to the very identity of the faith.

Pope John Paul II said in a message obtained by
UNI:''In recent times, we have witnessed in some
European countries an attitude that could endanger the
effective respect for religious freedom. Everyone may
agree to respect the religious sentiment of
individuals but the same can not be said of the
religious factor, that is the social dimension of
religions....It is nothing other than respect for all
beliefs on the part of the State that assures the free
exercise of ritual, spriritual and cultural and
charitable activities by communities of believers.''
The Pope said a healthy dialogue between the Church
and the State would encourage harmony in society.