Muslim mason immortalized at French cathedral

[Beau_Ouiville]

"PARIS — A Muslim stonemason who spent nearly four decades helping to restore an Roman Catholic cathedral in France has been immortalized as a winged gargoyle peering out from its facade — albeit with the inscription “God is great” at his clawed feet.

This sign of inter-religious friendship is rooted in the Medieval tradition and reflects the city of Lyon’s links to its large Muslim population. But a widely publicized outcry from a tiny extreme-right group has forced the Archdiocese of Lyon into damage control.

“This has nothing to do with religion. It’s a sculptor who wants to pay homage to a construction site chief,” said the Rev. Michel Cacaud, rector of the cathedral. “That’s all.”

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[ChadS]

I think it’s a wonderful tribute to a man that has spent many, many years restoring and beautifying a cathedral. If there are some who don’t like that then that is just too bad, I suppose there are other churches where they can worship.

Does the phrase “God is great” offend them too? Or just the fact that it’s in Arabic and a common Muslim phrase? But, then again I’ve heard many a Catholic utter those same words – so what’s the issue?

ChadS