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France Bids Adieu to Archbishop

Notre-Dame holds Catholic-Jewish funeral ceremony for former church leader

By Caroline Zimmerman,  Newser User

Posted Aug 10, 2007 4:34 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Catholic and Jewish prayers rang out at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris today during the funeral of the former archbishop of Paris, Jean-Marie Lustiger, who died Sunday at 80. A convert from Judaism whose mother died at Auschwitz, he was known for his tireless work to bridge his two faiths, and thousands of mourners gathered to pay their respects.

Nicolas Sarkozy interrupted his vacation in New Hampshire to attend; the new president praised Lustiger as "a man of peace, unity and reconciliation." The mediagenic Lustiger was known for his opposition to discrimination, but the fact that he never renounced his Jewish heritage made some uncomfortable. "It's not possible to be Jewish and Catholic," said one rabbi.

Paris Archbishop Andre Vingt-Trois, center, celebrates a mass under a portrait of late Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger, one of the most influential Roman Catholic figures in France who died last Sunday at 80, into the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2007. Lustiger, a Jew who converted to Catholicism...
Paris Archbishop Andre Vingt-Trois, center, celebrates a mass under a portrait of late Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger, one of the most influential Roman Catholic figures in France who died last Sunday at...   (Associated Press)
French President Nicolas Sarkozy waves goodbye as he leaves Notre Dame cathedral after attending the funeral of Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger, archbishop of Paris, Friday, Aug. 10, 2007. A sacred Jewish prayer read beneath the sculpted saints of Notre Dame Cathedral opened funeral proceedings for Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger, who was born...
French President Nicolas Sarkozy waves goodbye as he leaves Notre Dame cathedral after attending the funeral of Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger, archbishop of Paris, Friday, Aug. 10, 2007. A sacred Jewish...   (Associated Press)
Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger, seen in this March, 13, 2003 file photo, has died, the Paris archbishop's office said. He was 80. Lustiger, a Jew who converted to Catholicism, rose through church hierarchy to become one of the most influential Roman Catholic figures in France. Lustiger whose Polish immigrant mother died...
Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger, seen in this March, 13, 2003 file photo, has died, the Paris archbishop's office said. He was 80. Lustiger, a Jew who converted to Catholicism, rose through church hierarchy...   (Associated Press)
French President Nicolas Sarkozy, left, sits next to French Cardinal Paul Poupard, right, as Mgr Patrick Jacquin, 2nd from left, the rector of Notre-Dame cathedral, stands next to the coffin containing Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger, during his funeral outside Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, Friday, Aug.10, 2007. A sacred Jewish...
French President Nicolas Sarkozy, left, sits next to French Cardinal Paul Poupard, right, as Mgr Patrick Jacquin, 2nd from left, the rector of Notre-Dame cathedral, stands next to the coffin containing...   (Associated Press)
Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger, seen in this Feb. 2, 1981 file photo, has died, the Paris archbishop's office said. He was 80. Lustiger, a Jew who converted to Catholicism, rose through church hierarchy to become one of the most influential Roman Catholic figures in France. Lustigerwhose Polish immigrant mother died in...
Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger, seen in this Feb. 2, 1981 file photo, has died, the Paris archbishop's office said. He was 80. Lustiger, a Jew who converted to Catholicism, rose through church hierarchy...   (Associated Press)
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Lustiger's claim to being both Jewish and Catholic still controversial
Associated Press

Archbishop saw himself as a 'modern man'
Washington Post

The pope's statement about the archbishop
Vatican Radio

A look at the legacy of "the quintessential John Paul II bishop"
Wall Street Journal

 
Catholic Church • Nicolas Sarkozy • Judaism • death • Auschwitz • Catholicism • Notre Dame • archbishop • Jean Marie Lustiger • funeral

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