PARIS – Amid a heated debate about the Muslim veil, the French Catholic church warned Monday, February 1, against banning face-veils, calling on the European country to respect rights of its Muslim minority.
"The result could be the opposite of what is desired and lead to a reaction that increases the number of women wearing this garment,” said Bishop Michel Santier, the top French Catholic official for interreligious dialogue in a statement cited by Reuters.

He said that very few women wore face-veil in the country.
“We should in our country respect the rights of all believers to practice their faith,” Santier said
A French parliamentary panel recommended last week slapping a partial ban on face-veils in hospitals, schools, public transport and government offices.