Two crosses stood for many years on the top of the Pic Carlit and the Cambre d’Aze in the Eastern-Pyrenees. This week they were cut down and thrown into the abyss.

The crosses were erected on the summits of both mountains. Known as meridian crosses,  they date back to the second half of the 19th century or the early 20th century. During this period many crosses were erected in the Alps. In fact, in the Eastern-Pyrenees, building crosses on the mountaintops became a local tradition. Every year more than 25,000 people visit the cross on the top of the Canigou,  “the saintly mountain of the Catalans.” This mountain is 2,785 meters high and the cross was erected in 1961.

That is why the destruction of these crosses on the Pic Carlit and the Cambre d’Aze shocked the local Christian community. According to the Christian church, these crosses symbolised local culture; they did not provoke the locals.

“The construction of the crosses was done by the military of CNEC
(National Commando Training Center), with permission from the local Council,” says Norbert Turini, Bishop of Perpignan-Elne. “Some people did ask for the removal of the Christian symbols in the name of secularism. They also gathered petitions. If the Republic feels threatened by these crosses then I am sorry. However, who will say sorry to the Catholics, and indeed to all of the Christians,  whose religious symbols were destroyed and belittled?”

The bishop highlighted the importance of the crosses. “They are part of our local culture; they were not built to provoke or to break the law.” He added that “these symbols are also important for locals who are not Christians. People visit and venerate the cross of Canigou, but this act does not go against their principles. It is a local cultural tradition for these people too.”

Senator Francois Calvet said the same thing about the vandalism. He “condemned these acts,” and he talked about the importance of traditions.

“For us Catalans, the crosses on the mountain tops represent a cultural tradition. I am shocked that in the name of secularism  and the law of 1905, these symbols can be removed.”

The perpetrators have still not been found by the authorities.

Translator: Ildikó Ungvári

Source: La Croix