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Islam in France is on the move. It is estimated that there are now about five million Muslims in France (against fewer than one million Protestants or Jews), and one million or so have full voting rights.

Such a substantial minority can only be expected to make its voice heard and to retain the electoral attentions of politicians.

The American poet/songwriter Paul Simon wrote about the way human life goes. He described it like this:

Slip sliding away...

For 50 years now, a remarkable work of the gospel has been going on in France among the travellers, called 'gypsies' or 'Romany people'.

These were the folk who live mainly in Eastern Europe (and also Spain). Hitler tried to eliminate them along with the Jews and other minorities. They have also been subject to attacks in recent years from extreme right wing groups in Europe.

France is traditionally a Roman Catholic country. At the end of the 20th century, religion has been marginalised. People are turning away from Catholicism by the score, but what are they looking for?

In today's France, materialism is much in evidence. At all levels of society, people want to move up and have more. However, it has fostered frustration and emptiness and also guilt. The poor are left on the outside. So on the French TV news, the plight of the homeless always figures during the winter months. But apart from that, compassion is by proxy.