THE CRUCIFIX AT THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
“He shall stand as a controversial sign” (Luke 2, 34) In the past, in the Québec province, the crucifix was king. It was a sign of belonging to the Church. It was venerated as the symbol of God’s love for humanity. « For God so loved us that he gave his only Son, not to condemn us but that we might be saved» (John 3:16-17). Nowadays, however, it cannot be found except in churches, religious houses and in some homes, and of course, in a few museums also. By virtue of a miracle for which politics only know the secret, the Blue room of the National Assembly has kept its crucifix. It is always hanging above the chair of the President of the Assembly. But far from bringing into unity the scattered Quebec people, it divides them into two camps which have a go at each other with the serenity of many cocks in the same hen house. On the one hand, proponents of a strict secularism of the State are ruthless in claiming the head of the crucifix.