French court decides to take down Virgin Mary statue
If it fails to do so, it will be fined €100 (£80; $105) a day. Mayor Gaston Lacroix said he will try to relocate the marble statue on private land.
The image of the mother of Jesus has been standing on the shores of Lake Geneva since 2011. It has been the subject of local controversy for some years after it was paid for with municipal funds.
The decision to remove the statue has been criticised on social media, with some wondering whether freedom of expression had been curbed.
Publier is a city in the department of Haute-Savoie, in eastern France.
Read also
Armenian Apostolic Church Pushes Back on Political Encroachment
The Armenian Apostolic Church plans to appeal to international bodies to resist government interference and defend its clergy and sacred relics.
Attempted Takeover at Armenian Etchmiadzin Cathedral Thwarted by Faithful
Supporters of Armenian PM Pashinyan attempted to storm Etchmiadzin Cathedral amid calls for the Catholicos’s resignation but were blocked by parishioners and security.
UOC Says Kazan Church in Chyhyryn Forcibly Seized by OCU-Linked Group
The Ukrainian Orthodox Church says its Kazan Church in Chyhyryn was forcibly seized by an OCU-linked group that broke in, raised a flag, and took control of the building amid ongoing church-property disputes.
Abp. Elpidophoros Calls Faithful to Compassion and Charity During Nativity
Abp. Elpidophoros urges the faithful to honor Christ’s Nativity by showing compassion and generosity to the marginalized, reminding the faithful that love for those in need reaches the newborn Savior Himself.
Met. Saba: Nativity Calls Faithful to Live the Incarnation Daily
Met. Saba’s Nativity message this year calls the faithful to move beyond outward celebration and live the Incarnation daily by welcoming Christ’s transforming presence of love, humility, and hope.
EXCLUSIVE: Ukrainian Lobbyist Tells Activists to Have Pastors Wear Black Robes – Congress Won’t Know the Difference
Julian Hayda of Razom for Ukraine said that people in Congress can’t differentiate between UOC, OCU, or UGCC, as “they all dress the same way.” If you have clergymen come with black robes and big crosses, “the photographs will be very important,” he said.