Le Nouveau Seychelles Weekly has been particularly vocal. It sees that as plain electioneering by President Michel.
In last week’s issue, Le Nouveau Seychelles Weekly said: “The modus operandi is clearly to give the impression that our president is now a Catholic and since 90% of our population is of the catholic faith, these people would be more likely to vote for one of their own, rather than Wavel Ramkalawan, for instance, who is of the Anglican faith.”
The article concludes; “...the Church condones the action of President Michel in using the Pope’s picture in this way. If this is so, then the church’s silence is ‘...the most urgent, the most disgraceful, the most shameful and the most tragic problem’ in this country. And to think that over 90% of our population supports this very church, leaves a lot to be desired”.
The concluding remark is a gross insult to the many Catholics as it insinuates that it is a shame to follow the Catholic Church. But, we shall begin by reminding Volcère, Ramkalawan and other cynics that in 2006 President Michel won the Presidential election, with a majority in most districts, including those where most people are Catholics and even Grand Anse Praslin, where there is a significant Anglican following. He did not need a photograph with the Pope to help him win.
Secondly, “faith” is a personal matter. It is practised in different ways, either openly or in the intimacy of one’s home and daily work, according to one’s convictions. James Michel was baptised as a Catholic and has never repudiated his religion. “Do not judge, and you shall not be judged”, the Scriptures say.
Thirdly, the clock depicting the President and the Pope, is nothing more and nothing less than a memento - a “Souvenir of President Michel’s Visit to the Vatican, 25th Oct 2010” - destined as a gift for the festive season, as the label on the presentation box of the clock clearly indicates (“Compliments of the Season”). Only a depraved mind could assign to it a meaning other than that for which it was intended.
President Michel has met twice with Pope Benedict- in October 2006 and again late last year. The two leaders met as two Heads of State. Besides being the leader of the world’s Catholics, Pope Benedict is also Head of State of the Vatican.
Long before him, Mr. Mancham, then Chief Minister met with Pope Paul V1 - in 1967- at the Vatican, during a stopover in Rome. The photo was carried ironically in The Seychelles Weekly. Volcere is ignorant of his own paper’s history. Maybe, he was still a toddler then. But, we remind him that the photo was used rather extensively and 1967- was also an election year.
1967 was the year when the first election based on Universal Adult Suffrage was held.
The same Pope Paul V1 also received Dr. Hilda Stevenson-Delhomme at the Vatican. Mrs. Delhomme was accompanied by her two daughters. Nothing controversial about that. As was the case with Mr. Mancham.
After Mr. Mancham, President Albert Rene met with John Paul 11 also at the Vatican. But the most important meeting was in Seychelles- in December 1986- when the widely travelled Pope made a six-hour stopover on his way from an extensive tour of Australia and the Pacific. President Rene welcomed the Pope at the airport and also received him at State House.
Also at the airport and at the Holy Mass at Stad Popiler was James Michel, then a cabinet minister.
Many Seychellois still have photos, even albums of Pope John Paul’s historic visit to Seychelles among their treasured possessions. Some have enlarged photos of the visit, showing the Pope with the President, or with local Church leaders of the time, including the late Bishop Felix Paul and his deputy, Father Edwin Mathiot. - Nothing wrong with that!
The fact remains that President Rene did not issue souvenir photos of himself
with the Pope. That was his choice. President Michel has chosen to do so, like Mr. Mancham as Chief Minister, as a memento of their visit to the Vatican. That is their choice and must be respected.
Ramkalawan and his one - time candidate for Anse Aux Pins, Volcere can seek an audience with the Pope too and then have a souvenir photo to show around. As Mr. Mancham and Dr. Stevenson - Delhomme proved in their time, you don’t have to be a President to meet with the Pontiff.
The Pope, as a universal leader, in fact often meets with leaders who are non-Christian. Pope John Paul 11, for instance, travelled to many Muslim countries, such as Egypt, Tunisia and Indonesia.
During the two-week tour which took him to Seychelles in 1986, he had also visited Bangladesh, a country where 99.99% of the population are Muslims.
Some months ago, those who have suddenly become fervent Catholics, were accusing President Michel of selling out to Arabs and being prepared even to welcome Bin Laden to Seychelles. Then, they were against the Carnaval International de Victoria. Now, unashamedly, they are using religion and one or two priests, who are willing to join them in their perverse game.
Only a few weeks ago, Nouvo Vizyon was claiming that the Star, had been
removed from the Botanical Garden purposefully by Government to please certain Arab and Muslim leader, presumably Sheikh Khalifa of the UAE. The newsletter edited by SNP leader Ramkalawan himself , deemed that this was the Star of David, symbol of all Christians, proof that some people are blissfully ignorant of
their own religion. The Star of David is the symbol of the Jewish faith. The one at the Botanical Garden was the Cross of the Orient- which we learnt as children guided the three Wise Men to the Place of the Nativity when Jesus was born.
All this just goes to show that some people will stoop very low and can even use religion as a football to suit their twisted objectives.
President Michel should go ahead with what he believes is right. The Seychellois are behind him, as the forthcoming polls will show. What his few detractors can do is make sure they go and vote. They should then return home and await the results. They are in for a big shock!
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