LyrArc Article Gist
Spiegel online gives this insightful report on Catholic France, the old traditional values, and presidential candidate Francois Fillon. In a low key way Fillon has stood up for family values. This report describes Fillon sending his representative to a Paris gathering of Catholics carrying banners saying "I'm Voting Family in 2017," organized by "Manif pour tous," or "Demonstration for all."  In a book "Faire," Fillon says simply- "I am a Catholic. I was raised in this tradition and I have maintained this faith." With the increasing uncertainty, insecurity with terrorist threats, many people including secular people are going back to church or find comfort in the old traditional values. In a survey done from the close to 3 million people who voted for Fillon, 72% were found to be from a Catholic background. This report says that Fillon's roots in the countryside also help him, as he is shown on a tractor, in a canoe, or in front of his home in Sarthe, and agricultural region of northwestern France. Fillon is able to move easily from his voting district of St. Germain de Pres in Paris and the countryside where Catholic France is everpresent with its little churches dotting the landscape.