Assumptionist Secretary general, Fr. Michel Kubler, honored as knight of the French National Order of Merit

February 2018 - Rome

On February 5 at Villa Bonaparte, the ambassador of France to the Holy See, Philippe Zeller (right in photo), inducted Fr. Michel Kubler, A.A. (center) into the National Order of Merit. For many years Fr. Kubler was editor-in-chief of the Assumptionist daily newspaper, La Croix.

After recalling his Alsatian roots and attachment to his 'homeland', which clearly 'shaped' his personality, Amb. Zeller retraced his university studies and his life as an Assumptionist religious, especially his appointment to La Croix, first at the religion desk (from 1989 to 1997), then as religious editor-in-chief (from 1997 to 2009).

“An important voice of the Church of France”

“During these years, you were an important voice of the Church in France, a spokesman for clear identity,” the ambassador added, acknowledging that La Croix was “a source of pride of our national press.”

He also underlined Fr. Kubler's transfer to Bucharest, Romania, where he served as the director of the St. Peter-St. Andrew Ecumenical Center and as pastor of the French-speaking parish in the capital, thus becoming “an important player of the French presence in Romania and contributing to the spread of French culture”.

“Man of religion, but also of dialogue, he is universally respected by those who know him," he reiterated the words of his colleague, the French ambassador to Romania.

Finally, recalling the different books published by Fr. Kubler, Philippe Zeller admitted that he was « very impressed » by the work that he, a member of the group of Dombes, had published last year with Pastor François Clavairoly, which “really deserves to be read with careful attention”.

During his words of thanks, Fr. Kubler, visibly moved, questioned his personal merit, preferring to see in this award an honor for those of his family “to whom I owe who I am,” especially those who during his school years oriented him to religious life.

He also gave thanks « for the tremendous value of his religious family of the Assumption and the twenty years he spent at La Croix, “the place where I was able to fulfill my mission better than I could have ever imagined”. He admitted that such a mission demanded “a certain asceticism,” not to mention an addiction “to stand as best as he could between the Church and the world”.

Fr. Kubler concluded his remarks by acknowledging the “merit of the Republic of France” that has been able “to recognize the potential and necessary contribution of believers, even in the name of faith.”