French rangers mistake catholic mass for rave

31 Jul 2012, 2:13 pm   -   Source: World Crunch
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French rangers told the Alea association it was forbidden to hold a religious event or play the saxophone in the Mercantour National Park. (Getty Images)

French rangers told the Alea association it was forbidden to hold a religious event or play the saxophone in the Mercantour National Park. (Getty Images)

Forest rangers have fined a religious group for organizing a catholic mass in the French Alps, mistaking it for a 'rave party'.

Le Point, Nice Matin

Worldcrunch

NICE - Overzealous forest rangers of the Mercantour National Park in the French Alps, gave a 1,500 euro fine to an association for organizing a catholic mass without authorization.

At first, the rangers told them that it was forbidden to hold a religious event or play the saxophone in the forest.

"They seemed understanding and so we celebrated the mass without music," the president of the Aléa association Lucien Carlès told the French daily Nice Matin. "Then they came back and accused us of organizing an unauthorized religious event," eventually slapping the small congregation with a 1,500 euro fine.

The gesture left the worshippers bewildered and sparked the ire of several officials, including mayor of Nice and former French Industry minister Christian Estrosi, who told the French weekly magazine Le Point : "I find  restrictions for such traditional celebrations shocking," he said. "It goes against the principles I’m fighting for in our villages."

The Aléa association has been holding this mass for the past 15 years in remembrance of its deceased members.

"The rangers compared it to a ‘rave party’. It’s just preposterous!" said Lucien Carlès .

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Your Comments

The law says, ignorance of the law is no excuse!

Mona - from Australia, 10 months ago

" it was forbidden to hold a religious event or play the saxophone in the forest" The Rangers were doing their job yet it seems this lot feel they are above the law. As so often with the catholic church, their beliefs conflict with societies conforms. Their own bible includes the putting to death of homosexuals. That's one of their god's laws that fortunately they remain very quiet about today & must ignore. So, no religion or sax playing in the forest!

Worship

Philosopher - from Yass, 10 months ago

They would and did stop Jewish worship 70 years ago.

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